Ascending thoracic aneurysm: What should I do and not do?

Hi Mustang Sally, I am 81 and 13 years ago my aneurysm measured 3.8cm. it is now 4.9cm. Watchful waiting is the best option. There are many things out there that can kill you and me. Don't smoke, get your blood pressure under control, drink moderately or not at all, eat a sensible diet, exercise and enjoy however much of life you have left. See your cardiologist and primary care MD.

Is this an ascending aortic aneurysm? How was the dilation found? CT or echo? If the first test was a CT and now the second CT test indicates it has gone from 3.9 to 4.3, the rate of growth is about .4 centimeters in a year. In another 12 months, it might continue to grow at that same rate which would bring you to 4.7 which is still well below the size at which surgery is recommended. I think that is what your cardiologist is thinking.

You should be careful with lifting or anything else that might put a strain on you. My cardio recommends I not lift more than 25 lbs.

I think you would be wise to make a telemedicine appointment with your cardio to ask for more information and guidance. And you can also ask if you could have an echo in 6 months if that would give you comfort. The echo and CT measurements are done differently but your cardio should be able to interpret the results to see if the dilation is growing at an alarming rate. I am 75 and I have an echo every 6 months and a CT every couple of years. No radiation with the echo so if it continues to grow slowly, I'm OK with the echo monitoring.

I wish you good luck. I think you have no reason for panic at the moment but you can always get a second opinion from another cardio.

I am 82 yrs old and I have an ascending thoraci aneurysm for 17 years and my Dr has me come in every six months for an echo cardiogram and a CT every year and my aneurysm is 4.8 cm he tells me when it gets to 5.2 then they will operate. Keith6740

Hello, Mine is at 4.7 and holding there so far. How long yours stayed at 4.8?

Welcome to Connect @mustangsally67. I think the members above have asked some very poignant questions. I am interested in how the dilation was found, also.

Thank you so much. The aortic dilation was found on echo, then followed up with Thoracic CT. I AM GOING FOR A STRESS TEST AND ECHO NEXT MONTH

On echocardiogram

I believe one of these tests is measured on the diagonal and the other is measured straight across so the numbers will be different. Good luck with the stress test. It sounds like your cardio is taking diagnostic testing seriously. Good luck. I hope it is determined that your aneurysm is stable.

Yeh I am 57 and they found BAV with a bonus, 4.8cm ascending aortic aneurysm 9 months ago. First echocardio measured 5 then CT measured 4.8, 2 months later just this February, CT was at 4.95. I have not clue which is correct. No one has taken the time to meet me and explain how they measure. Next to impossible to get support here from cardiologist. to busy I guess. I live in Canada. So answers, I need to guess and research myself and read things here in the discussion. Honestly, I would have rather not known about this TAA. Its hard going from great shape, working out eating well etc.... to lets be careful. Anyway it is what it is. I wish everybody all the best. Stay strong.

welcome to the club. My numbers are higher. Told not to lift over 50 pounds and keep stress down. Tough in tody environment. I decided not to watch the news. Feel a lot better not watching. I biked 6-10 miles a day and do golf and gardening . Turned 79 lat week, have dropped a few pounds and feel good. Besides bad knees i have no other problems, so my next check up is summer. Will be interested to see the numbers.