1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

Posted by jbsb93 @jbsb93, Jul 28, 2011

I was born with a hole in my heart and have had 2 surgeries. One to fix hole and the other a valve replacement. I've been recently told the I have a thoracic aneurysm and possibly will need more surgery.. Anyone gone th ru this before??

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @Drew944 "@degarden_girl thank you , I do wish it would go away , how dangerous is it..." + (show)
@Drew944

@degarden_girl thank you , I do wish it would go away , how dangerous is it at this size and how long can you live with it before it needs repair and have you heard about such a good repair rate too? I want to live long - young and active I am in my 1st year - 6 months in and constantly thinking about it. Thinking what is my future, hoping not to be effected by it for my self and family. I keep looking at these wonderful replies as they keep me going. I keep wondering how this happened and if related to excedrin or blood flow supplements, vitamins etc that would cause palpitations the next day then would stop them etc - they told me my aortic valve leaks too - since not taking anything now feel fine no palpitations, would not have taken my self in without those palpitations from any random supplements including fish oil seems anything - did it cause valve leak and blood flow backwards causing aneurysm, can’t find correlation to what I took to this on dr google or cardiologist. Since I was 8 had a murmur told for years prolapse mitro but later not then valve leak then not abnormal- so a history of back and forth now this scary thing , confused and frightened and hopeful I can make it to a real old age , sorry for a long message but we are all we have to talk about this.

Jump to this post

@Drew944 I think you are trying to find a way to blame something you did for this aneurysm but it may not be anything you did but just a genetic weakness in the aorta. In any case, don't spend time trying to find an answer to a question that doesn't need to be asked. You have an aneurysm, you can't change that and all you can do is assure your cardio is monitoring it and that you are following the cardio's direction about what you should and should not do. It is important to keep your blood pressure under control as elevated blood pressure can put pressure on that weak spot in the aorta. If you smoke, stop right now. I believe that an aneurysm can remain stable and not in need of surgical repair for years and years and years. Not sure about "forever".

The longer we can remain stable, the more likely there will be a different and less invasive repair available. And the more likely that something else will "get us" before we need a repair. Our bodies age and we won't live forever; our best bet is to follow the cardio's direction and enjoy our lives. We don't "win" by worrying.

And if down the road I do need surgical repair, I will have it done and be grateful that medical science has advanced to the point that such repair can be done with a positive outcome. And if I get really, really old and perhaps not likely to survive such a surgical procedure, there is another procedure already available for placing a stent in the aorta to add strength.

I will not let this diagnosis steal my joy in life and you shouldn't either. You have children who need you to be joyful and not consumed with (unnecessarily) worrying about this. Place your trust in your cardiologist and he will alert you if you need to do anything further.

I wish you well.

REPLY
3 replies
anniejam | @anniejam | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @degarden_girl "@Drew944 I think you are trying to find a way to blame something you did for..." + (show)
@degarden_girl

@Drew944 I think you are trying to find a way to blame something you did for this aneurysm but it may not be anything you did but just a genetic weakness in the aorta. In any case, don't spend time trying to find an answer to a question that doesn't need to be asked. You have an aneurysm, you can't change that and all you can do is assure your cardio is monitoring it and that you are following the cardio's direction about what you should and should not do. It is important to keep your blood pressure under control as elevated blood pressure can put pressure on that weak spot in the aorta. If you smoke, stop right now. I believe that an aneurysm can remain stable and not in need of surgical repair for years and years and years. Not sure about "forever".

The longer we can remain stable, the more likely there will be a different and less invasive repair available. And the more likely that something else will "get us" before we need a repair. Our bodies age and we won't live forever; our best bet is to follow the cardio's direction and enjoy our lives. We don't "win" by worrying.

And if down the road I do need surgical repair, I will have it done and be grateful that medical science has advanced to the point that such repair can be done with a positive outcome. And if I get really, really old and perhaps not likely to survive such a surgical procedure, there is another procedure already available for placing a stent in the aorta to add strength.

I will not let this diagnosis steal my joy in life and you shouldn't either. You have children who need you to be joyful and not consumed with (unnecessarily) worrying about this. Place your trust in your cardiologist and he will alert you if you need to do anything further.

I wish you well.

Jump to this post

That was helpful and encouraging.

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anniejam | @anniejam | Dec 2, 2018

Also I understand your fear which we should not minimize.

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anniejam | @anniejam | Dec 2, 2018

My ascending aortic aneurysm is around or in one of the 3 flaps and i thought my cardio dr. said that I would need open heart surgery due to location.

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Dec 2, 2018

@annejam I think it would be best to discuss all these details with your cardio and maybe take a trusted friend or family member with you to take notes. I think with more details, you will feel better about the situation. It is hard to know the questions to ask when we are first told of the diagnosis. But now you have had time to think about it, it will be worth it to make another appointment to clarify everything. I think you will feel so much better once you know exactly what the issues are and what you need to do and what you can expect or not expect in the near and distant future. Write your questions down ahead of time and give a copy to your cardio and to your accompanying friend so you can assure all questions have been answered.

If your cardio is reluctant to take the time you need to get the questions answered, maybe you want to find another cardio. Any cardio worth his/her salt should be ever so willing to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.

REPLY
Drew944 | @Drew944 | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @degarden_girl "@Drew944 I think you are trying to find a way to blame something you did for..." + (show)
@degarden_girl

@Drew944 I think you are trying to find a way to blame something you did for this aneurysm but it may not be anything you did but just a genetic weakness in the aorta. In any case, don't spend time trying to find an answer to a question that doesn't need to be asked. You have an aneurysm, you can't change that and all you can do is assure your cardio is monitoring it and that you are following the cardio's direction about what you should and should not do. It is important to keep your blood pressure under control as elevated blood pressure can put pressure on that weak spot in the aorta. If you smoke, stop right now. I believe that an aneurysm can remain stable and not in need of surgical repair for years and years and years. Not sure about "forever".

The longer we can remain stable, the more likely there will be a different and less invasive repair available. And the more likely that something else will "get us" before we need a repair. Our bodies age and we won't live forever; our best bet is to follow the cardio's direction and enjoy our lives. We don't "win" by worrying.

And if down the road I do need surgical repair, I will have it done and be grateful that medical science has advanced to the point that such repair can be done with a positive outcome. And if I get really, really old and perhaps not likely to survive such a surgical procedure, there is another procedure already available for placing a stent in the aorta to add strength.

I will not let this diagnosis steal my joy in life and you shouldn't either. You have children who need you to be joyful and not consumed with (unnecessarily) worrying about this. Place your trust in your cardiologist and he will alert you if you need to do anything further.

I wish you well.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much , I am living healthy cycling daily and eating well , and will live hopeful and listen to dr’s and fight for my life for my family and my self even searching when needed for the best surgeons and advances. From what I have learned so far it although invasive is again 98-99%. My wife doesn’t doubt the outcome I shouldn’t either - a work in progress why it’s a journey. Best to all through this holiday seoson

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michellr | @michellr | Jan 26, 2019

After my open heart surgery for ascending thoracic aneurism I developed ocular migranes. Is it true that these migranes increase your risk of stroke x 3?

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joanstewart | @joanstewart | Feb 18, 2019

I was diagnosed 1year ago by accident. I had an MRI on my breast and the aneurysm was discovered. 4.6cm. No symptoms or problems. Recheck every 6 months. No change in activity. Just keep close watch of blood pressure

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1sassydame | @1sassydame | Feb 18, 2019

So tired of being tired. I was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm and arterial pulmonary hypertension about the same time five years ago. I cannot do much in the way of exercise nor even simple chores. Can anyone else relate? Tips on how you get along with this condition? I have no arterial plaque and strong heart muscles so I have a real problem mentally coping with this diagnosis.

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