Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hi, Dr's told me basically the same as you. Mine is 4.2 cm and suggested surgery at 4.8 cm since I'm only 5 foot tall.

Yeah all the cardiologists I've had over the last two decades have told me that once it gets over 5.0 to consider surgery but there are risk factors with that. I just try to keep my blood pressure down and I can't do any aerobics or anything that gets my heart rate up above about 140 beats a minute because it does them put pressure on the aneurysm.

I posted the other day about my aneurysm and about the doctor saying it's hereditary and I was hoping somebody else would have commented back to me regarding that matter because it's strange that an aneurysm would be hereditary and how would they know that anyhow? I never got anybody to respond back about that issue.

Hi, I quess the only way they know is with family history of aneurysms like parents and and siblings or genetic testing for a certain gene. It won't help us bus good info for our kids . Good talking to you.

I didn’t realize there was a genetic test for this. Can you elaborate please? Is it specifically for this? My father and brother both had aortic aneurysms but in the abdomen. My brother passed away on the operating table he was unaware he had it. My dad’s had a slow leak he had a 15 hour operation. He made it through but was never the same.

My cardiac thoracic surgeon recommended me to see a cardiologist for baseline cardiac workup. This included an EKG and scheduled echocardiogram to check out heart valves etc. You need to study all structures of the heart and check for any leaking of valves. Anyway, he has an associate who is also a cardiologist but she also does testing for a specific gene that families can carry and pass down which is responsible for causing aneurysms. It's not going to be helpful in our aneurysms but early awareness for our offspring. Early detection , awareness and being pro-active is crucial. Hopes this is helpful. Best regards.

Thank you so much, the information was helpful.

Hello @franip,

I was thinking about you and wondering if your exam on July 12th went well. I hope you received some helpful information.

I would enjoy hearing from you. Will you post an update when it is convenient?

It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch. I apologize. I’ve had an interesting year so far. I’ve been to the doctor (cardiologist) a few times. Each time an adjustment was made to my meds. Mainly because I’ve developed a shortness of breath in the recent past. I’ve continued in my daily walks but I seem to have to walk slowler these days. Not sure if I should push myself to quicken my pace. I just went yesterday for a “Shape” test to resolve the question if my shortness of breath, is coming from my heart or my lungs. I should know the results by the 27th of his month.

BTW “SHAPE stands for Sub-maximal Heart and Pulmonary Evaluation.

Hello @grandchild,

I appreciate your explaining what SHAPE means. What types of tests were included in this study? I'm thinking that perhaps a pulmonary stress test might have been done? (That is where you blow into a device that is put on your lips while you walk on a treadmill.)

When you have the results of that test, will you post and let me know how you are doing?