1. < Aortic Aneurysms

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

Posted by mustangsally67 @mustangsally67, May 6, 2020

Last year I was diagnosed with a dilation, that measured 3.9 had a Thoracic CT on now it is 4.3. The cardiologist said to repeat in one year. Is this ok. I am 71 yrs old. Also what should I not be doing, and also what should I be doing

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @silverkat "I have TAA as well. It measures 5.1 cm which I'm told by the doctor is..." + (show)
@silverkat

I have TAA as well. It measures 5.1 cm which I'm told by the doctor is near it's worst size.. However: he doesn't want to do another scan for two years (I'm 85) and who knows where I'll be at that time. I'm told not to lift more than 50 pounds at the gym, tho I can do much more than that. My general health is excellent despite the TAA. I'm not a candidate for surgery. Any other remedies you know of?

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I hope you truly 'listen' to degarden_girl and her advice. I'm 73, have a TAA measured a couple months ago at 4.8, so I have a way to go before surgery. But, my goodness, when it hits 5? I hope I don't stroke out! I intend to get whatever treatment is available to stop that time-bomb from exploding. I have a whale of a lot of health issues and certainly will not be the best or even a good candidate for surgery, but I definitely will see my cardiologist and anyone else at Mayo who wants to make any suggestions. I'm an 'Only Mayo, Girl'. So, after not such good visits w/local cardiologists, I only see Mayo docs now. They have truly saved my life. Suggestion from this young lady to an older man, consider seeing cardiology at Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or Boston or one of the major centers depending on your location. I'm in Florida and live near Mayo Jacksonville, so I see them for everything. I trust them. I feel safe. And, sir, please consider another important thought: you don't need to be lifting anything 50 pounds! My doc says I can lift a gallan jug of water. You, of course, can do more, maybe, but please wait until you see a true cardiology expert! Be safe, be well, you have a lot of good folks thinking of you and sending you blessings. Elizabeth

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1 reply
fjc1962 | @fjc1962 | Dec 13, 2020

Hello ess77, I was following this post and agree with your advise completely about Mayo. My TAA is at 4.6 and I also live in Jacksonville and have just started to see the doctors at Mayo. Do you have a specific cardiologist that you have consulted with there that you recommend?

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1 reply
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @fjc1962 "Hello ess77, I was following this post and agree with your advise completely about Mayo. My..." + (show)
@fjc1962

Hello ess77, I was following this post and agree with your advise completely about Mayo. My TAA is at 4.6 and I also live in Jacksonville and have just started to see the doctors at Mayo. Do you have a specific cardiologist that you have consulted with there that you recommend?

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Hello, fjc1962! Another Jacksonvillian! Love it! Yes, I actually went to Mayo first for MS that was wrongly diagnosed w/Jax neurologists for 12 years! Then, cardiology since I was mis-diagnosed with a AAA by Jax docs. on and on...now, I've seen Dr. Pham, thoracic surgeon, referred for consult; my cardiologist is Dr. Yamani. I'm seeing his APRN tomorrow afternoon, Elaine Macomb, following a day of cardiology testing. I was in the Mayo Hospital a few weeks ago for what was determined to be problems caused by hypothyroidism and over medication AND heart rthym issues or heart related. BTW: I don't have a AAA! I do have a TAA. same thing, wrong place. Like going into surgery for left leg amputation, coming out with right leg amputation!!! Congratulations on getting yourself to Mayo. Let me know how it works out for you. Please keep in touch.... I wish you the very best....many blessings in your journey.Elizabeth

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twojunes2 | @twojunes2 | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @degarden_girl "If this is your cardio giving this advice, I would go with it. If it is..." + (show)
@degarden_girl

If this is your cardio giving this advice, I would go with it. If it is your primary, I would seek the opinion of a cardio. It seems that 50 lbs is a lot to be lifting when you have a TAA.

I think that the older we get, the more cavalier doctors can become as to what we old people should be doing. At your age of 85 and in good health other than the TAA, I would seek another opinion. You might have another 10 or 15 years available to you unless you blow out that TAA.

I wish you good luck and good health.

Donna

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Very sage advice!

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silverkat | @silverkat | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @ess77 "I hope you truly 'listen' to degarden_girl and her advice. I'm 73, have a TAA measured..." + (show)
@ess77

I hope you truly 'listen' to degarden_girl and her advice. I'm 73, have a TAA measured a couple months ago at 4.8, so I have a way to go before surgery. But, my goodness, when it hits 5? I hope I don't stroke out! I intend to get whatever treatment is available to stop that time-bomb from exploding. I have a whale of a lot of health issues and certainly will not be the best or even a good candidate for surgery, but I definitely will see my cardiologist and anyone else at Mayo who wants to make any suggestions. I'm an 'Only Mayo, Girl'. So, after not such good visits w/local cardiologists, I only see Mayo docs now. They have truly saved my life. Suggestion from this young lady to an older man, consider seeing cardiology at Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or Boston or one of the major centers depending on your location. I'm in Florida and live near Mayo Jacksonville, so I see them for everything. I trust them. I feel safe. And, sir, please consider another important thought: you don't need to be lifting anything 50 pounds! My doc says I can lift a gallan jug of water. You, of course, can do more, maybe, but please wait until you see a true cardiology expert! Be safe, be well, you have a lot of good folks thinking of you and sending you blessings. Elizabeth

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your reply. the 50 pound limit, though, it might seem heavy, is assisted by counterweight machines.(not dead weight) and makes it easier to maneuver. Just for your info: I have other health conditions. such as a leaky heart valve, congestive heart failure, COPD, and have had a heart attack and a stroke over the years. But, still going at 85. Perhaps I've been unknowingly blessed to be around this long. Be well..

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1 reply
silverkat | @silverkat | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @degarden_girl "If this is your cardio giving this advice, I would go with it. If it is..." + (show)
@degarden_girl

If this is your cardio giving this advice, I would go with it. If it is your primary, I would seek the opinion of a cardio. It seems that 50 lbs is a lot to be lifting when you have a TAA.

I think that the older we get, the more cavalier doctors can become as to what we old people should be doing. At your age of 85 and in good health other than the TAA, I would seek another opinion. You might have another 10 or 15 years available to you unless you blow out that TAA.

I wish you good luck and good health.

Donna

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Thank you. The advice was from my thoracic surgeon. However: I will be seeing my cardio guy within the next two weeks and getting his advice as well. See my other reply. Stay safe.

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1 reply
twojunes2 | @twojunes2 | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @silverkat "Thank you. The advice was from my thoracic surgeon. However: I will be seeing my cardio..." + (show)
@silverkat

Thank you. The advice was from my thoracic surgeon. However: I will be seeing my cardio guy within the next two weeks and getting his advice as well. See my other reply. Stay safe.

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Yes, you're definitely blessed and to Donna's point about not blowing out your TAA, take up another hobby...try fishing, connect with nature. I lifted weights for 40 years, and stopped lifting heavy, even machine assisted, which I felt was an excuse to continue to move around heavier weights, but seriously, enjoy life on another level...try something new...!

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @silverkat "Thank you so much for your reply. the 50 pound limit, though, it might seem heavy,..." + (show)
@silverkat

Thank you so much for your reply. the 50 pound limit, though, it might seem heavy, is assisted by counterweight machines.(not dead weight) and makes it easier to maneuver. Just for your info: I have other health conditions. such as a leaky heart valve, congestive heart failure, COPD, and have had a heart attack and a stroke over the years. But, still going at 85. Perhaps I've been unknowingly blessed to be around this long. Be well..

Jump to this post

Hello, silverkat. I certainly misunderstood when you said your general health is excellent. It sounds like you have other heart issues that play into your decisions and your cardio doctors caring for you are on top of this.Please just be careful until you get all the information you need. I had my cardio day today at Mayo, with the normal tests, etc and saw the APRN. My heart isn't speaking to me like yours, I have CHF doing quite well now since I began regularly walking/exercising (using the term loosely, but getting in an hour of tiring work!), 2X weekly in a 94degree therapy pool. It's litterally saving my life. ANd, I don't hurt anywhere when I'm in the water. Love it. Recommend the aqua exercise for cardio. My heart is pretty happy right now! Having more tests soon re autoimmune diseases that are causing BP and other issues. Seems my body continues to attack itself, doggone it! Now, I have 3 or 4 autoimmune diseases! UGH! Hope you stay well, get good news from the next doc and keep us informed. Blessings. Elizabeth

REPLY
1 reply
silverkat | @silverkat | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @ess77 "Hello, silverkat. I certainly misunderstood when you said your general health is excellent. It sounds like..." + (show)
@ess77

Hello, silverkat. I certainly misunderstood when you said your general health is excellent. It sounds like you have other heart issues that play into your decisions and your cardio doctors caring for you are on top of this.Please just be careful until you get all the information you need. I had my cardio day today at Mayo, with the normal tests, etc and saw the APRN. My heart isn't speaking to me like yours, I have CHF doing quite well now since I began regularly walking/exercising (using the term loosely, but getting in an hour of tiring work!), 2X weekly in a 94degree therapy pool. It's litterally saving my life. ANd, I don't hurt anywhere when I'm in the water. Love it. Recommend the aqua exercise for cardio. My heart is pretty happy right now! Having more tests soon re autoimmune diseases that are causing BP and other issues. Seems my body continues to attack itself, doggone it! Now, I have 3 or 4 autoimmune diseases! UGH! Hope you stay well, get good news from the next doc and keep us informed. Blessings. Elizabeth

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Thank you for the encouraging words. I do the treadmill and recumbent bike 3 times a week for a total of an hour each day. That pretty much keeps me active. have a great holiday season.

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1 reply
davej | @davej | Dec 14, 2020

I have an aneurism also and my mayo cardiologist said until it gets to 5 just wait and see mode. I'm 60 and only restriction is no lifting heavy weights. Stay away from bad foods and drink good luck dave

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