Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

I am wondering about after surgery follow up. I think I asked this once before. After my AAA surgery I had one following up with my vascular surgeon. He said everything was great and he would see me in five (5) years. Is that normal? Please reply. Thank you kdh1

I too am concerned because I have a measurement of 4.1 on my ascending aortic aneurysms . Why do we get these? What is the treatment? and when? anniejam

Some aortic aneurysms are genetic issues and others I believe can be from lifestyle issues (smoking) or high blood pressure. From my understanding, the 4.1 cm measurement is not terribly large. I think the important thing right now is to monitor how fast it is growing, if at all. Mine has been about that size for a number of years and appears to be growing very, very slowly. I believe surgical intervention is considered when the aneurysm grows somewhere in the 5 cm range. In the meantime, I am sure your cardiologist has recommended not lifting over a certain weight -- for me, no lifting over 25 lbs. Also, absolutely no snow shoveling no matter how light the snow.

At this point, I don't think you should be losing sleep over this issue but rather, assure you are being monitored, that you are following your cardio's lifestyle advice and hold off the worrying until you see how fast the aneurysm is growing. In my case, I hope to die of old age before needing surgery to repair the aneurysm.

I am 71 and have a 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysms and I am very concerned about it and what is the treatment for it? This is a repeat. Sorry. I just joined.

All not alone - in my case I’m 47 with a 3 and 5 year old . I have a 4.4 TAA with no reasonable cause that 3 dr’s can find . I fear self inflicted with blood flow supplements though told unrelated. I am devastated and petrified. All tell me monitoring and will only repair if 5-5.5 and to carry on but struggle especially when looking into my beautiful families eye’s.

@Drew944 I think you need to just take a deep breath and not be so scared. I am sure your cardio has you monitored for the rate the aneurysm is growing and that is the critical issue. If your aneurysm is as slow growing as mine is, it may be 20 + years or more before you need surgical repair. And by then, they may have an entirely different way of repairing it.

I suggest you talk to your cardio about how fast this is growing and knowing it is not growing at a fast rate might give you some peace of mind. I am sure your cardio has suggested limiting how much you lift and that must be tough when you have such little children. But you can sit and they can crawl into your lap and you can have the same cuddling without the lifting. When necessary, I do lift things that perhaps I shouldn't but so far, the aneurysm is hardly growing at all. I have been warned to NEVER shovel snow so I don't and I don't do any work/exercise outside in the cold of winter.

Think positively. Knowing you have this is better than having it and not knowing it is there. I understand your fear and how devastated you must feel but don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life. I wish you well.

@laverne Hi Laverne, It sounds like about the same diagnosis at about the same time of my life. Actually, I I was diagnosed a couple of years earlier than you and I am now almost 74. And I felt panicky and horrified that this has happened to my body. I worry about it only enough to keep me from doing something dumb like lifting heavy items, pushing something or dragging something heavier than 25 lbs. Actually, for pushing and dragging, I assure the weight is much less than 25 lbs as there is always the inertia which adds to the physical stress.

I go to the gym every day, spend 35 minutes on the strider, do another 30 minutes of core exercises but I am careful with weight training. I work slowly with lower weights. So far, so good, aneurysm is stable. I have never had any pain and my diagnosis was also "incidental".

How do you know that you should not lift over 25lbs? You have not had surgery yet?

@annejam No, I have not had surgery for repair of the aneurysm. My cardio told me to limit what I lift. I am sure the 25 lb limit is conservative and I am sure I occasionally lift more such as lifting my suitcase off the rack before proceeding to roll it where I need it to be. I am just careful to stay in the general range of 25 lbs.

@degarden_girl, I totally agree with the advice you gave @Drew944. When I was first diagnosed, we were immediately thankful that at least we knew and we could be proactive with my care. My son also has this very same thing. He is 37 years old, with a 5, 2 and 6 month old. He is monitored every year and follows his cardiologists recommendations. He doesn't dwell on his diagnosis, and lives life to the fullest and most importantly enjoys and loves those little ones. Like @dgarden_girl said, don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life.