1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Posted by rory @rory, Apr 2, 2018

I was diagnosed in 2012 with ascending aorta dialation of 4.1 cm. In 2013 no change. Finally went back to dr in 2017 and echo showed 4.3 cm. 2 months later dr made me have a chest scan which read 4.5 cm. which is correct? Echo or scan? Dr wants me to have another in 6 months. Very stressful.

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latrisha | @latrisha | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m in a panic mode right now. I had an edco done two months ago every..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m in a panic mode right now. I had an edco done two months ago every thing was fine with my heart. But i seen it said enlarged ascending aorta at 3.7?So i ask for a CTA of the chest it came back normal every was fine and my
ascending was 3.3 negative no aneurysm was found. I was wondering which one to
believe is the ct more accurate. Just try she has some one went threw the same thing

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I have spoken with a cardiologist he was like that was normal don’t let it go over 3.5. That when it be enlarged. I was just wondering about the echo was at 3.7 and the ct is at 3.3. Just wanted to know which one is more accurate. I will be seeing a cardiologist in a couple of weeks. Thanks

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1 reply
maryswims | @maryswims | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I have spoken with a cardiologist he was like that was normal don’t let it go..." + (show)
@latrisha

I have spoken with a cardiologist he was like that was normal don’t let it go over 3.5. That when it be enlarged. I was just wondering about the echo was at 3.7 and the ct is at 3.3. Just wanted to know which one is more accurate. I will be seeing a cardiologist in a couple of weeks. Thanks

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It is my understanding that the CT scan is the most accurate one

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latrisha | @latrisha | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

Jump to this post

I’m in a panic mode right now. I had an edco done two months ago every thing was fine with my heart. But i seen it said enlarged ascending aorta at 3.7?So i ask for a CTA of the chest it came back normal every was fine and my
ascending was 3.3 negative no aneurysm was found. I was wondering which one to
believe is the ct more accurate. Just try she has some one went threw the same thing

REPLY
2 replies
degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

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Oh my goodness Latrisha, your ascending aortic aneurysm is SO SMALL. This slight increase in size should be seen as a blessing to you because you know about it so early that you have time to take control before it grows to the extent it needs surgical repair.

Losing weight will help keep your blood pressure low. I suggest staying away from saturated fats as you don't want plaque building up in your artery. Staying away from red meat, eggs, mayo, full fat dairy (skim is ok), will help you lose weight steadily but will also help keep your artery clear. Fish is low in calories and low in saturated fat so will help you lose weight and keep your arteries clear.

I wish you good luck with this but really, it is a blessing you know about this now and have time to keep it controlled.

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latrisha | @latrisha | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

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Thanks for the kind words. I’m just freaking out about this. And i said the same thing to my self i know about it early on. Do you know of anyone that might have this or going threw the same. Just need to talk to some one on the same level as me. I was think about going to the Mayo Clinic for a piece of mine

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

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I think you are worrying unnecessarily about this. My ascending aortic aneurysm was about 3.9 twelve or more years ago. It is 4.1 now. Surgical repair isn't even considered until it reaches 5. But yes, do all you can to keep your blood pressure low. And if you haven't seen a cardiologist, you might consider seeing someone locally just for peace of mind. Your MD will be watching this to check on how fast it is growing, or even if it is growing. It might be very stable, especially if you get risk factors controlled.

Lose some weight and with your MD's OK, consider an exercise program of just walking every day. That will help you lose weight but will also help lower your blood pressure and it will help you to feel you are doing what you can do to control the risk factors. Avoid lifting heavy items.

I understand why you are freaking out. All of us with this issue likely had the same reaction.

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1 reply
latrisha | @latrisha | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

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Thanks for explaining things to me. I have hear its not an aneurysm until it reaches 4.5 and sometime high blood pressure will make your aorta enlarge.so I am working on these things. I am hoping you can become my support partner and I can talk to more. Thanks again

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

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I am happy to talk to you any time. Let me know how you are making out on your weight and exercise. Losing weight and starting to exercise will help you take control of your health. And that is your goal.

REPLY
latrisha | @latrisha | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

Jump to this post

I received some good news today my echo reading was wrong and I had a ct done last week got the results today. My ascending arota was normal 3.2 and all my other stuff dealing with the heart an all was good Thank you Jesus!.. yes that's my goal to get much weight off that I can. My God continue to bless you and your health.

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @latrisha "I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of..." + (show)
@latrisha

I’m a female age 46 very overweight I’m trying to loose weight. I’m so scare of this finding. I can’t sleep or eat. I’m afraid it’s going grow bigger. I was told to watch my blood pressure and to lose weight. All i can think about is my kids. I’m so scare. I have been reading a lot. About this. I don’t know how i have this. My blood pressure don’t really run that high. I had an echo don’t it cane back normal every thing was fine. I found this on the other page where the finding was and they never meant it. Please someone talk to me about this

Jump to this post

Wow, what good news! I'm so happy for you. But I highly recommend that you continue with your efforts to reduce your weight (you will feel soooo much better) and increase your exercise (again, you will feel so much better). Set a reasonable goal for weight loss like 10 lbs and then, if you do feel better, you will be motivated to continue on. And set reasonable exercise goals-- walk for 5 or 10 minutes, and increase as you feel able. As your aerobic fitness improves, you will want to increase your speed. And Latrisha, trust me -- these two efforts will change your life.

Stay in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Best wishes,
Donna

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