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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (940)Comment receiving replies
I have recently been diagnosed with a dilated aorta 4.0 and a dilated aorta root 4.3. I feel like the NPs at the cardiologist office think it’s no big deal. And I have been a wreck .. I asked to speak to my cardiologist.. he is about to retire and sent me for a ct scan for accurate numbers. But also doing bloodwork for testing for connective tissue disorder. He always inform me that all heart surgeons he knew had retired. I’m looking for a new cardiologist and to see if I can find a surgeon to speak with me. I’m probably going to have to travel some more different but what I have read if you have a dissection and there’s not a surgeon at the hospital a lot of times you die before you get surgery.. I am 52 and don’t want to die. Anyone can give some advice I would so appreciate it. Does anyone have any chest pain with dilation?
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@angiecabinfever1 Hi, at 4.0/4.3 you are still ways from critical size, the probability of dissection at that size is close to 0. You know you have them, can have them monitored, plan, etc not everyone gets that opportunity.
As I always say, my recommendation is to find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and it makes a big difference. They understand the proper follow up protocol, and are able to provide much better guidance and answers than a generalist cardiologist. He/she will determine growth rate, and other variables that are very important, assess your general health and give you recommendations as to do's and don'ts. BP is the primary variable, it has to be kept under control. You want to keep yourself healthy, treat your body well, exercise but know the limits when having an aneurysm (no exercises that lead you to hold your breath like planks, heavy weights, etc), you want your body at its best if you ever need surgery (there's a chance your aneurysm will never grow to a critical size and remains stable, everyone is different)
Do research to find the most qualified cardiologist and surgeon, even if it means to travel a bit. Again, at your size the cardiologist will be more important but it is good to establish a relationship with a surgeon and have a plan.
All the best