Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

I have an ascending aortic dialation . Is this what you have?

Yes...diagnosed with 4.4 cm two years ago... always dizzy, frequent chest pains... always tired... very frustrating...

Yes, still in shock as perfectly healthy and 48 years young - totally incidental- been questioning why - gnc supplements, excedrin what - all told unrelated - trying to hold on to good possibilitiy that it will never grow beyond the 4.3 that it is now and has been for 6 months- feel great like could run a marathon- told from all research and support don’t worry keep healthy and blood pressure in good shape and may never have to worry or if needed can fix with a very high success rate if healthy. If I think otherwise I’m horribly depressed and feel doomed.

I can relate completely. I’m 52 and have the same finding. Been tracking it now for a couple years and it’s been stable. A key to maintaining stability and preventing growth appears to be keeping blood pressure under control. Would appreciate sharing info on the best supplements for that goal.

Yes, & blood pressure is key but I don’t know what more I can do. Mine is high, anywhere from 127-152, diastolic and 87-95 systolic. I am thin, don’t eat salt, sugar, additives, or smoke. Drink very moderately, maybe I beer, or one red wine 3x a week. I also walk and ride my mike on a stand in winter. But, if there was something, that can lower mine without increasing or adding new meds with side effects, I’d like to know!

Mine is and has been about 104-113/80 or so adding to the mystery of cause which brings me to the supplements- did they cause a spike that caused the dilation - they all said to lower blood pressure like l-Argentine and citrulline but this and even aspirin give me palpitations so hard to know what to recommend. Are there any dr’s that specialize in this that help us all out or besides our own dr’s are we all we have ? I see for example blogs on Cleveland clinic where vascular doctors answer questions. If there are please chime in. Thank you!

Yeah that is a mystery. Perhaps it’s inherited spotty weakness of these types of tissues, some mal-absorption of a protein. Someday, a gene will be discovered. Meanwhile, awareness-although it can stress us, can prolong our life when worse may come. At least with the diagnosis, it won’t be mistaken for heart attack. I know it paints a different picture of how we envisioned our bodies that we love! But maybe it’s an opportunity to bless it anyway. In all our perceptions of wellness and wholeness, there is also some Force that is opposed. Maybe wellness cannot be called that without comparison to UNwellness. Yin and Yang. This is life. But we can help wellness by putting our trust in the entirety, and our intention to be calm and as loving to our bodies as we were before we knew.

Standard process which is pharmacutical grade has a supplement called hawthorne. I believe it is suppose to lower blood pressure.

Hi Laverne, I understand how unsettling an incidental finding like this is. I also have the same "ascending aorta aneurysm" that was found as a result of totally unrelated testing. Mine was found about 5 years ago, and at the time it was found, measured 4.2 cm. Fortunately, it has not expanded since it was found. My doctor measures it annually (though the first 2 years, he measured it every 6 months) via an echo cardiogram. Have had a CT scan previously. There really aren't symptoms (at least in my case). I do remember NOT to lift extra heavy things. I work out at the gym 3 times a week doing elliptical and also doing various strength training. I am careful not to lift more than 20 pounds and watch that I don't do things like hold my breath and lift (which I believe causes more stress in the aorta). At first, I was very panicky. I remember it so well. Could barely sleep. But, as time has passed and it has remained stable, I have learned to live with it. I wish you all the very best with your testing, follow ups and health.

My Ascending Aortic Aneurysm was also found during a test for another matter and was very frightened by my doctor's comments regarding this find. This was back in 2015 and the measurement was 4.3 x 4.3. I have learned to live with this due to my yearly CT Scan and Ultra Sound tests show it has not grown. I, too, am always aware to make sure I do not pick up anything more than 20 pounds. Aside from the heart surgeon I see yearly, I also see a cardiologist who monitors my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. Now that I have accepted the diagnosis, I stress less and lead my life as I normally would.

I was told if the aneurysm should grow, I would need open heart surgery due to its location. My hope is in the near future there will be another procedure less invasive. The medical advances made year after year signifies to me there will be other avenues for us. With all this being said, I'm back to enjoying my life !!