@worry

I can understand your concern about the growth of your AAA in one year. One thing to consider is what test(s) were used to measure the AAA? For example, was an ultrasound used one year and a CT scan the second year? Different tests can produce different measurements.

We have some discussions on Connect that you might find helpful. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aaa-surgery/ and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/
I would also like to invite some other members of Connect, who have discussed AAA to this conversation. Meet, @acara, @cheryl66 and @kdh1.

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350688

As you have a concern about the growth, I would encourage you to phone your doctor's office and ask about it and if there is a need to be concerned. Also, remember that it is always your right to get a second opinion. Have you considered getting a second opinion to put your mind at ease?

I think it grows, (dialates) because the wall of the aorta becomes stretched and compromised perhaps because of factors that are different for each person. An illness that affects the heart specifically, likeRheumatic fever(from severe “scarlet fever“), Marfans Syndrome( inherited disorder), or some kind of weakness in collagen.. these are the things that add to the blood getting in between the layers of the wall. The blood causes a bulge which can be measured. From what info I have gathered, at a certain “dilation” there is less blood flow to be distributed to the major organs. There can be coughing because there’s pressure on the esophagus. There can be shortness of breath. A person can get by with these early stages, and not seem to experience great difficulty unless they are a very good athlete. But it is a silent condition, therefore, a potential deadly one, and must be monitored as we become aware of it. It is good in that sometimes a happenstance shows the condition, like you are getting tested for other things such as lower abdomen scan or chest X-ray .

Hi, @worry - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to this discussion where you posted previously on abdominal aortic aneurysm to get you in contact with others already talking about that type of aneurysm. If you click on VIEW & REPLY in this email notification, it will take you to the whole discussion on the Connect site.

Are you feeling concerned about the amount of growth your aneurysm has had this year? What did you doctor say about the growth?