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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (923)Comment receiving replies
Hi, my name is Thaw I turned 70 past February and I had to apologize. English is my second language anyway I was told by my nurse practitioner I should have a lung scan. you don’t get to see your primary care anymore! Anyway the lung scan is good but discover ascending aorta aneurysm major at 4.8 and 4.6 and the root after that three more CT and echocardiogram was ordered by my cardiologist and thoracic surgeon. during the two months in May and June I had spoken to my cardiologist and my surgeon for 15 minute each suddenly the nurse called and said they want to do an angiogram so I asked why and she said that CT scan in the echo picture not very clear because there’s calcium buildup and 60 to 65% Blockages in LAD. So I asked what is there Complication happen during the angiogram how would they address the Aneurysm The nurse says my Surgeon be on call. So I said I would like a second opinion I’m now at Barnes and Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Meet a meeting with the cardiologist and also the thoracic surgeon. Both are under opinion that I’m not at the point that anything that need done they would like to observation and treated with medication so I’m now on two blood pressure pills statin, and the baby aspirin and my next schedule would be in December the end of this year 2026 I am total confuse. Thanks for listening and any comment would be welcome.
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@csuwannakoot Thaw. I understand why you feel confused and frightened; I survived a complete aortic dissection myself in 2015. The uncertainty can be exhausting. The reassuring part is that Barnes-Jewish had both a cardiologist and an aortic surgeon review you, and they believe your aneurysm can be safely watched for now rather than operated on immediately. At 4.8 cm, close monitoring, strong blood-pressure control, a statin, aspirin, and repeat imaging in December can be a very reasonable plan.
The possible LAD blockage is a separate issue from the aneurysm, and calcium can make CT scans look less clear or make a blockage appear worse than it is. An angiogram may eventually be useful, but you were right to ask why it was necessary and to seek another opinion before proceeding. Ask the Barnes doctors to compare every scan side by side and clearly explain whether the aneurysm is growing and what exact change would lead them to recommend surgery. For now, take your medicines, avoid very heavy straining, and remember that observation does not mean they are ignoring you—it means they do not believe surgery is safer or necessary yet. Peace.