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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others
Welcome to the Aortic Aneurysms group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. The aorta begins deep in the heart as it emerges from the powerful left ventricle, gently arching over the heart, descending into the chest, and finally into the abdomen. Some aortic aneurysms can be harmless; others can lead to catastrophic problems. I invite you to follow this group and connect with others, share experiences, exchange useful information, and learn about aortic aneurysms.
Get started rby clicking the +FOLLOW icon on the group page here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aneurysms/
There are some great conversations going on right now that I think you’ll like. Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and lets chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?
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I fully dissected suddenly at age 50 in 2015. It is no fun. You're in a good place, though. You know you've got a problem and you can monitor it. You can prepare for surgery if that's eventually required. In the meantime, your job is to relax relax and not stress. Take your medication as directed and go see your cardiothoracic specialist there in Detroit. If they tell you that you need surgery then have the surgery. This is nothing to ignore, but at the same time you have to live your life. I have been around for the last 11 years with an artificial aorta that has kept me alive and well for my wife and five kids. You're going to be fine because you know you have a problem and it's not going to hit you without warning. That's what happened to me and I really wish I had known that I had a problem because--as we've just witnessed with Senator Graham--it's a tough thing to survive if it comes on suddenly. So, no planking, no grunting, no heavy lifting, no ropes, no kettle bells, and stay healthy. Your job is to reduce your blood pressure so that your aortic wall does not get any bigger. Listen to your heart surgeons. Netflix and chill. You're gonna be fine. You can do this. Peace.
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1 Reaction@moonboy
Thank you!
You say 4.6cm is the size of your aorta. What is considered a normal size aorta
I am 88 year old female recently diagnosed with a 5 cm aneurysm on ascending aorta. Because of my age and the fact that I have no family I have decided against having open heart surgery and to try to live with the condition. I exercise a lot as prescribed and walk as well to try to keep my blood pressure at acceptable level. However,it is difficult to not get stressed over this ticking time bomb that I have.
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3 ReactionsDear Friend, @birgitdrew...I am so glad you reached out to us. Please know that you are not alone in how you are feeling. You are normal. We all get scared when faced with a diagnosis like this, and so many of us in this group understand exactly what you are going through. Sticking to your exercise routine and walking to keep your blood pressure under control sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to do to manage this condition. Since you don't have family nearby, please remember that you have a family right here in this group. We are all rooting for you, and we are here to listen whenever you need to vent or share your worries.
God bless. ( I hope saying God bless doesn't break any rules
@jaernste A normal aorta diameter ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 cm. A diameter of 3.0 cm or greater in the abdomen is classified as an aneurysm.