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Managing Stress, High BP & Aneurysms: What can we do & not do?
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Dec 19, 2022 | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with a TAA in June 2020, two weeks after my mother died with the identical dissection completed into the carotids. I had an aunt (mom's older sister) who had passed from an aneurysm in her brain in 1989 and I had just happened to have a stress echo scheduled several months prior for two weeks after mom passed. Initially at 38mm, it is now at 45mm according to the echocardiogram performed while I was in the hospital this past June from complications from a stroke.
I have learned more information (I feel is useful and pertinent to me) from your posts than I have anywhere else, and this includes from my own doctors. To be fair, I'm not sure I know the right questions to ask. In my defense, I have asked many other questions that have been met with subtle answers given more to dismiss me rather than to inform me; or I've been met with indifference or there has been no concern expressed, not that I can see or tell. The journaling mentioned, the attention given to what and how much is lifted, and stress control - these are factors I consider important that not one person has discussed.
I have always prided myself on being able to handle my stresses and stressors well; I don't believe that's true anymore. I'm not very good at all, but I don't know what to do to get better. I just came out of a bitter divorce and the only thing that mattered to me was that my kids came with me and are still with me. I worry now about being taken out of the picture and leaving them completely alone. My oldest ones will take care of my youngest ones in school, but I worry constantly and don't know how to keep from it.
I hate waiting for results when I have tests like the echo or the nuclear stress test, but I hate even worse feeling like my life, as the patient (whoever the doctor may be) is not worth the effort needed to explain the findings or does not need calm explanation about what can and cannot be done with an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. I am in the process now of gathering records together to submit to Mayo in Rochester for a second opinion on my situation, but in the meantime, is there any advice for someone in my situation? I feel lost, and aside from what I've found reassuring here, I don't know where to turn.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with a TAA in June 2020, two weeks after my mother died with..."
When my mother passed years ago I made the decision to seek help from a Licensed Medical Therapist through my health care provider. When I had a health issue I felt more comfortable seeking out this same person to help me "get my ducks in line" so to speak and work towards solutions. I decided if I could not come up with solutions for my mental care when I was recently diagnosed with TAA I would go again. You have so much going on and having someone to talk with and help with solutions can hopefully be a part of your future whole health care. I hope all will be well with you.
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I was diagnosed with a 4.5 cm TAA in August '21. I decided to schedule a CT scan after loosing 2 of my neighbors suddenly, both around 50 years old. I am currently 56. I had no symptoms, plenty of energy, but I as concerned about my lifelong eating habits and stressful jobs over the years. Instead of reviewing my entire journey so far, let me just touch on 2 points. My impression of my medical team's response to my condition and how I'm coping with trying to control my hypertension.
From day #1, I was not impressed with the "sense of urgency" of my primary, nor my Cardiologist. I was looking for direction, expertise, and support in the form of an aggressive plan to prevent having to have open heart surgery within the next 2 years. My primary prescribed me 25mg of Losartan(lowest possible dose) and a cholesterol med. While it helped my BP a little, I wasn't satisfied. So, I did some reading and then requested an increase to 50mg about 3 months after my CT scan. My goal was an average reading of 115/75, but I couldn't get it down below 120/85. So, I requested an increase to 100mg. That did the trick! Generally though, early on, I was not impressed with this blase' attitude from everyone in handling what I deemed needed a major response. Ofcourse, I began eating better and tried to exercise more too. At that point, my primary hadn't even suggested meeting a cardiologist! But, I did it anyway because I needed to know someone was taking this seriously. 6 months in, I met a very good Cardiologist and he immediately scheduled an echocardiogram and an ultrasound. This gave us a better look at my entire chest cavity, something I'd learned from reading. Decisions on surgery take many things into account. But, ultimately, even he took a wait and see position on my TAA.
Fast forward to this past Sep, '22. My follow up CT scan. I was prepared for the worst, yet somehow my TAA was stable at 4.5cm, no growth. While thrilled, I knew from reading that these sometimes go a few years without growth, then get larger. The opposite happens too. In your case, you may go the next few years and it stays at 4.3cm.
Up until that follow up CT scan , I was only convinced of 1 thing. I felt the entire medical field was so confident in the abilities of Cardiac Surgeons, that the whole process just prepared us for entering a que for the procedure.
Secondly. My condition is probably due to hypertension. As you have indicated, I also was always able to handle stress. I was a problem solver, a program manager. Took pride in it! Little did I know that my "tough guy" attitude and willingness to carry all the burden to solve a problem, many which were out of my control, is what most likely caused the enlargement of my Thoratic Aorta. I sat thinking to myself, a day before Hurricane Ian hit us head on in Cape Coral Florida, "how can I let go of things I cannot control?" For me, the answer was something I'd questioned most of my life. GOD. I've always been a deductive reasoner. I believed what I can prove I guess you could say. But, there it was, right in front of me all along. The only way I was going to "let go" of some of the things out of my control is if I finally allowed myself to unconditionally believe that GOD was real. It's hard to explain, but almost instantly I felt relief, calmness. 24 hours before a near Cat 5 hurricane hit us head on, I was calm. It didn't change the hurricane's path, didn't keep us from having challenges because of the hurricane. But, my unconditional belief that I wasn't alone allowed my not to worry. Since I made that commitment to not walk alone, my BP is lower and I feel much less tension.
Sorry for the long response. I've only shared this with my wife prior to writing this. I'm not trying to suggest my path for you, just letting you know what worked for me when nothing else would. I wish you well my friend!