Any one live with an aneurysm for a long time without much growth?

Mine was discovered in 2008 at 3.9. It is now at 4.3. I am 78 YO. My only restriction is on lifting more than 25 lbs. I am hoping I will die from "old age" before surgery is indicated. I am also hopeful that new and less invasive procedures will be developed just in case I do need surgery. I remain pretty active going to the gym 3X per week and walking a couple of miles the remaining 4 days. As much as we don't want to think about dying, a burst aneurysm beats spending any time whatsoever in a nursing home.

I wish you well and I hope your aneurysm stays small.

I just declined surgery because of stability over time, but this is without risk factors ie B/P, comorbidities. At 78 you already won. there are caveat's o every condition that makes us unique. My advice keep b/p stable and lose weight to your predicted BMI. Take your doctors advice. (you cant't wait till life isn't hard anymore to be happy
-nightbird

I was diagnosed with a small aneurism many, many years ago accidently. I haven't had it rechecked because of dangerous surgery in that location (ascending aorta) I am now 90.

You win, opt for stent at 90 years of age risk of complications higher. mine is 5.4 (ascending aorta)
no hypertension or meds

The question to ask your surgeon is does your three layer Aortic tissue weaken with age.
3x wk gym is was good as 7/7 in a study I read some yrs ago PT for better advice such as cardiac rehab

I had a couple of stents in the LAD and RCA heart arteries in Sept 2022 and afterwards went for three months to cardiac rehab so "been there, done that" as the kids say.

I am quite sure the aortic tissue does weaken with age but I would rather age than not. I am hopeful that I will have another 10 years to enjoy life. At the moment, I am not compromised in any way so life is good. I'm going to continue to exercise and eat a healthy diet and not worry about things I can't change.

Stents are the way to go open up the clogged pipes and rehabilitate the myocardium or optimize the function over time. I truly hope you do well.
Ascending Aortic dilitation weakens the artery, no blood flow interruption. stents are available to strengthen
the artery but does not rehab myocardium or improve function... a major difference.

I was diagnosed accidentally with a 4 and told no surgery until it was 5 or greater. I’ve never had health issues. I never smoked and a casual drinker. I’m 69 and female. No medications. I was given no limitations. At a year and half out (while waiting for an appointment) I had an emergency dissection, life flighted, long surgery, repaired aorta in 3 places. They said my aneurism was measuring 4.5. So no matter what it was meant to be. Do what your doctor recommends. Eating healthy and exercise (which I did before) are the best medicine. Yes beware of lifting. This has been the most difficult for me since I’m used to farm life. Get regular check ups with your doctor and listen to the doctor. Best of wishes to you!

I’ve had a celiac artery aneurysm for 3 years and it never expanded. I was in the ER for something not related but as usual I always get a CT scan because I have a mechanical aortic heart valve. The doctor came to my exam room and said that I was being transferred to a trauma hospital for emergency surgery because the scan picked up on my aneurysm.

It measured 3cm. Not bad I thought. I hope it never reaches a 5 cm. But its in the celiac trunk artery. A very rare place to have one. My number one issue is that I’m on blood thinners and the aneurysm has developed a tear in it but I don’t know how much.

Once I arrived at the trauma hospital ER they wheeled me in and he agreed with the first hospital’s diagnosis. The doctor there said that I was going to have to come back to the hospital but because it isn’t bleeding I was stable and was discharged with the instructions that I see my own cardiovascular asap.

So I called my cardiovascular surgeon and asked to come in the next day and i told him why.

The woman who answered the phone let off a big sigh. Like I was bothering her and I assumed it was because i would interrupt those who had appointments that day. Too bad

When I arrived the next day she said “where’s your mask?” I had forgotten to bring mine. There was a mask dispenser near the outside door. I told her who i was and that i was there as instructed by the hospital cardiovascular surgeon.

He looked and acted annoyed because he said “all hospitals say ASAP” then I went to the sonogram room and an exam of the abdomen was performed. When I was guided to an examination room the surgeon finally came in and laughed and made light of the whole thing. He did that while rolling his eyes. He said “I didn’t see anything “. See you next year “

As he’s rushing out the door I asked him if it could burst and he said “yes it could but we have ways to treat that” Like what”. I said to myself. If an aortic artery bursts you can die before you get to a hospital as its quick and usually a fatal event.

I said to myself that this guy is a jerk and I want a second opinion because 2 surgeons seen it and he’s saying he didn’t see it? I contacted the doctor who checked me at the trauma hospital through their portal and I received a message back that I should go through my PCP. It’s been 2 months and despite the fact that I left two messages he or his nurse has not responded. Meanwhile I’m feeling like I’m a ticking time bomb. What should I do you think? I also have a regular cardiologist. Should I contact him even though he never responded to my voicemail??
Maybe I’m worrying about nothing but I would like to know what size is the aneurysm since it was a 3 cm a few years ago and how long is the tear itself?

If it will ease your mind, forget the phone calls and voicemails and make an appointment with your cardiologist. It is more important to rest easy than continue to worry.