Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hello! Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm. Didn’t even know that I had an aneurysm until I collapsed one day out of the blue. Turns out that I have an autoimmune disorder that doesn’t neatly fall into any of the vasculitis categories. I was scheduled for surgery about a month after the collapse. I was a little nervous waiting for the surgery. Doctors said that I shouldn’t worry about the aneurysm rupturing within a month. Unlike you, I didn’t have months to think about a growing aneurysm. All I can say is to continue to live your life as best you can. I am guessing that you will have surgery sometime in the future? Mayo Clinic is a great place , especially if you have a complicated case.

I do hope that you have a good support system with family and friends. I had to rely on many people after my surgeries. I am grateful that I had that support as my recovery was difficult due to complications. (Just so you know, I did not have my surgeries at a Mayo as I live in Southern California.). I am doing much better now. I somehow managed to remain optimistic throughout my procedures and long recovery.

I think this forum is a good place to get feedback and support. There aren’t many support groups out there for people who are dealing aneurysms pre and post surgery.

Best of luck.

Just want to say I had Thoracic Aneurysm surgery at Mayo 3 years ago at 78 years old and came thru it with flying colors. You are at one of the very best places for this surgery. My aorta aneurysm took several years to get to the point of a necessary surgery believe it was 5.5 size when it was determined to be a good idea. My surgeon was Dr. Alberto Pochettino, such a wonderful and expert doctor. You will be fine of this I'm sure. Good Luck to you and think positive, it really does help.

Hi and thank you. I was recently diagnosed with a "mildly ascending thoracic aneurysm" (4.1 cm), the evening I landed in the emergency room, having tripped over a step while taking a palm frond to the garbage bin. SInce I'm on a blood thinner, I thought I should visit the ER to be sure I didn't incur internal bleeding. One CT scan later and I instantly became aware of my mortality. My blood pressure was high (don't remember how high, but not frightenly high) and my primary care doctor suggested I see my cardiologist asap. He (the cardiologist) put me on losartan 100 mg/1xday. Following the CT scan I also had an ECHO (about two weeks later), which revealed the aneurysm at 4.3 cm. The cardiologist told me I had a few years to go before I would need to be operated on. I asked lots of questions. I'm due for another ECHO in November (six months from the first ECHO). I've surrendered to the fact that I'm in a body which is showing signs of slowing down and am totally ok with this. I have a strong spiritual life and believe there is more to this life than what we're led to believe. I see each day as a wonderful, extraordinary blessing and am grateful for the life I have left to live. From what I gather from the many posts I have read and from the support given, offered and received, I am grateful I found such a wonderful group of people...

Hi @twojunes2 , Sounds like it was a lucky thing that you tripped and then had the good sense to go to the ER to be checked out.

Don't panic about the different readings of the size of the aneurysm. The CT measures straight across and the ECHO measures on a diagonal so will always show a higher number.

What is important is to determine how fast the aneurysm is growing. It may be very stable, especially now that you are on the Losartan. But your next ECHO will give you and your cardio the information needed on growth rate. Mine has been at 4 or 4.1 for many years, very stable. I get an ECHO every 6 months to assure it is remaining stable. Also good to remember is that different technicians can measure slightly differently. So your ECHO reading might be slightly smaller or slightly larger next time but without any actual change in the size.

For me, I hope to never need the surgery but if I do, so be it. Aren't we lucky that medical science has advanced to the extent that such a surgery is possible?

So, my best advice to you is to not worry obsessively about this. Your aneurysm is still quite small and unless it is growing rapidly, you have many healthy years ahead.

Best wishes,
Donna

@GratefulEveryDay Hi Janet, You surely do have a lot of stuff on your plate. I can only comment on the ascending aortic aneurysm as I am unfamiliar with others. But what I know about the ascending aortic aneurysm is that the measure of 3.9 is good news. That is quite small and I am sure your cardio is keeping track of the growth rate. So maybe that is one issue you can decide to not worry about at the moment, just do watchful waiting. Your next ECHO will give you the info you need about how stable this aneurysm is.

I wish you good luck. It sounds like your MD's are being proactive with testing and watching the issues. Let them do the worrying and you continue to enjoy your life while following their instructions about controlling blood pressure and sticking with less strenuous activities.

Best wishes,
Donna

4.8 for 3 years in a row. Now the cardiologist says it’s basically disappeared. Thought this impossible but I’m not a Dr.Help if you know. And for all the posting I’ve learned so much by you sharing.

Hi Donna, I appreciated your reply - especially the calming words that the aneurysm is measured differently by the CT vs. ECHO, as well as by the technician who is attending the event! My cardio said after November they would measure this every year. I'm going to refer to what you said about having it done every six months. That, to me, sounds more diligent than a year's testing in between. I read from a post I received this morning that someones aneurysm shrank in size. I believe it and think anything is possible! And, yes, we are very lucky that medical science has made the advances it has....the surgery, if necessary, will be another one of life's experiences. I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience and that sort of sums it up on that level, for me. Thanks again for your kind, reassuring words and answering my email. I felt acknowledged and "heard". Thank you!!!

@abster93 @twojunes2 It is my understanding that an aneurysm will not shrink or disappear. All we can do is follow a healthy lifestyle to do all we can to keep it from growing. An ECHO every 6 months might reassure us that the aneurysm is stable but a CT should be limited to perhaps every three years unless your cardio determines there is reason for it to be done more often. A CT carries a lot of radiation. An ECHO carries no radiation.

BTW, in addition to the open chest repair of an aneurysm there is also a less invasive procedure to install a stent should the aneurysm grow large and the patient is not thought to be a good candidate for the open chest surgery.

We all need to remember that in most cases, the aneurysm is a slowly growing issue. It will likely be years before surgery is needed or considered. In the meantime we need to keep our blood pressure low, our lifting limited to low weights, include lots of fiber in our diets for the obvious reason, exercise with your cardio's OK and keep saturated fats low. It's all we can do and there is just no sense worrying about something we can't change.

Have a great day ladies.

Donna

Hi @kimspr3, that you for sharing your mother's success. To answer you question, according to the link below from Mayo Clinic, abdominal aortic aneurysms can be hereditary.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350688
Have you talked to your doctor about this?

Hello Ethan, Thank You, I will be seeing a Gastroenterologist Mon. the 8th. Thank you for the Mayo site. Now I'll be a little more educated to ask questions.