1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Spouse Just Diagnosed with Same Aneurysm

Posted by bitsygirl @bitsygirl, Jul 28, 2023

I had a calcium ct in April. There was an incidental finding of an ascending aortic aneurysm. Originally measured 4.5. Later measured more accurately at 4.3. Today my was spouse was also found to have an ascending aortic aneurysm of 4.2. That was a calcium ct measurement. It hasn’t been measured more accurately yet.

This just seems impossible. Anyone else have a similar story? It makes no sense. I can only think that aneurysms are being found more pervasively with all the calcium ct measurements. Or we won the worst lottery ever. Not sure who will do the heavy lifting around here now.

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bitsygirl | @bitsygirl | Jul 28, 2023

Sorry for the fat fingered subject line typing. Sheesh. Couldn’t find a way to correct it.

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Kelly | @lilkel | Jul 31, 2023

I too musta won that same lottery. Went in for a calcium scoring ct scan and it came back with a very low score of 4.12, which I was glad to hear. Then they told me there was an incidental finding of a dilated ascending aortic aneurysm of at least 3.4. I don’t know the actual measurement yet.. will see the cardiologist on the 28th. They haven’t really told me anything other than the finding, I’ve tried to google it and quite honestly all that did was scare the heck outta me.

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1 reply
bitsygirl | @bitsygirl | Jul 31, 2023

I saw my PCP today and she was not as shocked as I was. I gather more and more are being found incidentally. My husband got an echocardiogram about 20 years ago. Hopefully they can dig it up and compare sizes.

Hopefully yours is just 3.4. I believe that is on the low side. It’s scary regardless. Good luck!

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1 reply
Kelly | @lilkel | Jul 31, 2023
In reply to @bitsygirl "I saw my PCP today and she was not as shocked as I was. I gather..." + (show)
@bitsygirl

I saw my PCP today and she was not as shocked as I was. I gather more and more are being found incidentally. My husband got an echocardiogram about 20 years ago. Hopefully they can dig it up and compare sizes.

Hopefully yours is just 3.4. I believe that is on the low side. It’s scary regardless. Good luck!

Jump to this post

From what I’m readying in some of the post it does appear mine is on the smaller side. I just wish they had told me if there’s anything I should or shouldn’t be doing, what to watch for etc… all they said is we don’t want it to start dissecting or to rupture. Which of course sent me straight into panic mode and instantly I started noticing every little ping my body makes lol

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jbh456 | @jbh456 | Aug 1, 2023
In reply to @lilkel "I too musta won that same lottery. Went in for a calcium scoring ct scan and..." + (show)
@lilkel

I too musta won that same lottery. Went in for a calcium scoring ct scan and it came back with a very low score of 4.12, which I was glad to hear. Then they told me there was an incidental finding of a dilated ascending aortic aneurysm of at least 3.4. I don’t know the actual measurement yet.. will see the cardiologist on the 28th. They haven’t really told me anything other than the finding, I’ve tried to google it and quite honestly all that did was scare the heck outta me.

Jump to this post

@likel I am 3 years into my aorta aneurysm journey. I have learned that most diagnosis are due to incidental finding unless you are experiencing a rupture. Mine was an incidental finding and is at 4.5cm. It’s hard just waiting as it continues to grow. My cardiologist says continue to live your life just keep your blood pressure low, don’t lift heavy things, and continue to monitor the aneurysm. That’s about all they can due until it’s time for surgery.

I live in the Raleigh, NC area and we have good medical centers, UNC Hospital and Duke University hospital. Surgery at either of these facilities would most likely have a good outcome. I recently scheduled an appointment with the Cleveland Clinic, the number 1 cardio vascular clinic. My reason for doing that is I wanted piece of mind that I am doing the best I can for a good outcome. Since making the appointment I don’t worry as much. Hopefully I will feel even better after the appointment.

Joining this support group has also helped with the stress.

Hang in there! You’re not along in your journey!❤️🙏🏻

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1 reply
fjc1962 | @fjc1962 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @jbh456 "@likel I am 3 years into my aorta aneurysm journey. I have learned that most diagnosis..." + (show)
@jbh456

@likel I am 3 years into my aorta aneurysm journey. I have learned that most diagnosis are due to incidental finding unless you are experiencing a rupture. Mine was an incidental finding and is at 4.5cm. It’s hard just waiting as it continues to grow. My cardiologist says continue to live your life just keep your blood pressure low, don’t lift heavy things, and continue to monitor the aneurysm. That’s about all they can due until it’s time for surgery.

I live in the Raleigh, NC area and we have good medical centers, UNC Hospital and Duke University hospital. Surgery at either of these facilities would most likely have a good outcome. I recently scheduled an appointment with the Cleveland Clinic, the number 1 cardio vascular clinic. My reason for doing that is I wanted piece of mind that I am doing the best I can for a good outcome. Since making the appointment I don’t worry as much. Hopefully I will feel even better after the appointment.

Joining this support group has also helped with the stress.

Hang in there! You’re not along in your journey!❤️🙏🏻

Jump to this post

I am in the same boat as you, only I’ve been monitoring for 15 years now. My primary caregivers are at Mayo in Florida. But I have thought about getting a consult at Cleveland clinic also. Are you doing the virtual appointment or in person?

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jbh456 | @jbh456 | Aug 2, 2023

@fjc1962 I am doing an in person visit at the Cleveland location. They have a location in Florida. Cleveland is about a 6-7 hour drive for us. In the process of gathering medical records to send prior to my October visit. The visit has 4 components, registration, EKG, 90 minute appointment with the Doctor, and ends with an echo. Never hurts to go for a consult. On a side note, I found out that a guy from my high school graduation class, Ed Savage, is a surgeon, at the Mayo Florida location. Per his profile he is pretty impressive!

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wirunner2007 | @wirunner2007 | Aug 2, 2023

My anyerusm was found on regular checkup for my mechanical heart valve. My cardiologist here in Wisconsin recommended I go mayo clinic to replace my valve and fix aneurysm. That was in 2007 and was successful procedure and my heart is strong . I thank everyone at Mayo Rochester

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