Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@laugsb1 PA's are great and fulfill a very important function, but in this case there are MDs or DO's (Cardiologists) that dedicate their focus on aortic diseases, aneurysms, aortic valves, etc they do research and interface with other specialists around the country to share knowledge and expertise. Sometimes they are part of cardiologist groups in medical centers or multidisciplinary aortic teams that include surgeons, etc. There's is big difference in their ability to answer questions, provide guidance and establishing the right follow up protocol vs generalist cardiologists. They may also suggest genetic testing to determine whether there is a family trait. What I tell everyone, you want the best surgeon (someone who has done thousands of these procedures). but the surgeon will stop seeing you after surgery, the cardiologist is for life, he/she will continue monitoring you after surgery, important to find a good one.

Good work losing weight!!!, continue on your path to fitness, it helps in all fronts, not only improves your body health, but also your mind, it helps with stress and anxiety, and in turn your BP.

Good luck to you!!!

I notice this group hasn’t had any comments in a few years, but I’ll post this anyway and hope for some feedback.
In May of 2025 my Apple Watch notified me it sensed AFib. I finally got to see a cardiologist in October 2025 and he ordered a battery of tests.
The echocardiogram picked up an ascending aortic aneurysm. There is also dilation of the aortic root.
In June of 2026 I had a CTscan to follow up on the aneurysm. Here is how the numbers look.
The ECG the size was 3.78cm, the CT six months later shows it at 4.24cm. I understand the echo is not an equal measurement, but at 3mm growth in six months should I be pressing my cardiologist for more feedback on the size?
I am currently on Eliquis for the AFib, a statin and BP pressure medication. The PA is great, very responsive, my cardiologist not much.
Thank you in advance for any advice.

@keith5150 unlikely the aneurysm grew by 3mm in such a short period of time, the CT is usually a more reliable measurement. The important thing now is to establish a true growth rate, your cardiologist should follow up periodically using the same measuring method every time and maybe using the first CT as the base (or he/she may decide to establish a new base).

So yes, you should be asking for a follow up protocol that will determine the above (you may need a new Cardiologist if the current one is not responsive, try to find one that is a specialist in aortic diseases). Hope that helps

Hi I broke 3 ribs last month and when they did my cut they noticed my aorta is enlarged at 4.2 I had surgery in September of last year and everything was normal. I am scared about this I used to weigh 396lbs I had Bariatric surgery in 2013 and 2015 I now weigh 174lb. I’m 46 woman my dad and his brother both had one repaired both my parents survived the widow maker and they both had bypasses. My mom passed away in 2024 she made it 9 months with her heart working less to 10 percent both of my sisters passed away at ages 35 and 33 they passed 3 months apart I had many tests with my old cardiologist but she left so I am using a new cardiologist. I’m kinda freaked out and anxious I have to wait til September 1st for my appointment. My family history is horrible on both sides of my family many deaths under the age of 50. I’m freaking out any advice to make it til September I know 4.2 is small to medium but it was normal in September is that fast growing? Google is frightening to me.

Hi everyone. New here. Was diagnosed 4 days ago with ascending thoracic aneurysm that they said is 4.7cm. Sounds like open heart may be the only surgical option based on location. Still kind of getting my feet under me as dealing with the shock of hearing this. I know everyone here has experienced the same. Married. 4 kids. The mental battle is real. The time bomb some of yall have discussed is what im trying to get comfortable with. Anyway, I’m glad I found this forum. I’ve read several posts over the past couple days trying to inform myself. Had work travel and flew today. Made me nervous. Will be trying to schedule an initial appointment with two CT surgeons in Texas. I know there are a lot of good docs out there. Plan to meet with two that seem to be highly recommended. Thankful I found the group. I’ll be reading, learning, and may ask some questions.

@ps4613 hi and welcome, I had my 5.2 cm ascending aneurysm repaired 6 years ago, I live in Houston, if it helps my surgeon was Dr Anthony Estrera an absolute delight of a person and a wonderful surgeon, one of the best in Houston, my cardiologist is Dr Siddharth Prakash who is a recognized authority in aneurysms and other aortic diseases, both are part of UT Health- Houston.

Having a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases (not all of them do) is a huge plus especially as you try to get answers and guidance. Also the cardiologist will follow you up for life.

You are in the right place, we have all gone through the same feelings. You know you have it and can plan do something about it, not everyone gets that opportunity.

All the best

Agreed with all the above. I dissected 11 years ago after a flight to San Diego from Minneapolis. I would be very cautious about traveling by Air. You should work diligently to reduce your blood pressure and flying for any reason will increase it. I am convinced that a big factor in my ultimate dissection was business travel. It is stressful. That said, you are in the right place and feel free to post any questions you have. I had five kids and was 50 years old when I dissected. You have the benefit of knowing you have a problem and you can proactively treat it. If it becomes an emergent dissection like mine, the survivability drops through the floor. You’re going to be OK. Listen to your doctors and keep your blood pressure down. I would talk to them immediately about the appropriateness of Travel. I know that’s hard to hear because you may have to travel for work, but your life is far more important than your work. You owe to your family and to yourself. Let us know how we can help. Peace.

@houston13 thank you. I appreciate the comments and reply. I’m in Ft. Worth. Two surgeons I’m in the process of scheduling an initial consult with are Michael Jessen at UTSW Dallas and William Brinkman at Baylor Plano. If anyone has insight please share. DFW would be more convenient but that takes a back seat to getting the right care. I would have no issue traveling for that and will definitely look into the docs you mentioned in Houston. Another name I had on my list was Joseph Cosselli out of Houston. I don’t have much info on him other than he seems to have a ton of experience. Great point on the cardiologist being with you for life. Thank you.

Thank you also for the reminder of the blessing it is to know ahead of time. It’s not news any of us wanted to hear but I am thankful for the opportunity it affords given the situation. I appreciate it.

@moonboy thank you. I am sorry to hear that you experienced a dissection and appreciate your direct comments regarding air travel. It is high on the list of topics to discuss with a surgeon once I get my appointment scheduled. I was really nervous flying out. Still have to fly home. The diagnosis came 3 days prior to a previously scheduled business trip and things happened quickly and as everyone I’m sure experienced in the early days of their diagnosis I was just trying to make sense of what I was just told and the implications of it. Thankfully as it relates to air travel, while it happens, it’s not a weekly part of my job and I should be able to manage around that.

Blood pressure has historically been pretty good. I will be sure to check it daily now to stay on top of it. I have no clue what it does while traveling though. I was keeping my eye on my heart rate while flying with my Apple Watch but maybe a heart rate that is low and in control doesn’t directly correlate to BP…I don’t know.

I appreciate the encouragement as well that I found out early. It does afford me a lot of advantages that you did not get the benefit of. The prospect of open heart surgery was overwhelming at first - still isn’t easy to wrap my head around - but over the past week I’m slowly getting more comfortable with that. I think the most challenging thing right now is trying to keep my mind off of dissection. I know the risk is low right now but that does rattle me at times. @houston13 I think you spoke to wanting to get the ticking time bomb out of your chest in another post. I’ve actually quoted you to my wife as we work through processing everything.

I’ll stop for now but thank you again for your comments. I’ll be around and reading more and will post as questions come up.