1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 16, 2018

Welcome to the Aortic Aneurysms group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. The aorta begins deep in the heart as it emerges from the powerful left ventricle, gently arching over the heart, descending into the chest, and finally into the abdomen. Some aortic aneurysms can be harmless; others can lead to catastrophic problems. I invite you to follow this group and connect with others, share experiences, exchange useful information, and learn about aortic aneurysms.

Get started rby clicking the +FOLLOW icon on the group page here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aneurysms/

There are some great conversations going on right now that I think you’ll like. Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and lets chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

booklover71 | @booklover71 | Dec 23, 2023
In reply to @fjc1962 "Hopefully I can help you live more of a normal life than I have :) My..." + (show)
@fjc1962

Hopefully I can help you live more of a normal life than I have 🙂 My aneurysm was 4.5 over 12 years ago. It has been very stressful living with this condition and monitoring every 6 months or so. As it turns out, mine has been relatively stable and is now 4.8. I’m still have very high anxiety with it because that’s my nature. But my doctors/surgeon (primary, secondary and 3rd consultant) say I’m stable and I shouldn’t worry until they worry. But, for over the years I have been crazy thinking about this and didn’t live my life as I would have liked. At 4.3 my advise is, try and live your life…that’s very hard…but you have to try. Keep your BP under control and reduce stress. Yours is soooo small, with monitoring and control, you may never have to do anything. And, if you do, technology will continue to improve and advance that your risk will be significantly lower than it may be today. I absolutely know how you feel and I’ll pray for us both. Happy Holidays!

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Great advice. Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

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deedth64 | @deedth64 | Dec 23, 2023
In reply to @bob32 "Here is wishing you the very best, my only advice is to listen to what the..." + (show)
@bob32

Here is wishing you the very best, my only advice is to listen to what the doctors tell you to do. I have great respect for the knowledge the doctors have, Wishing you the happiest of the holiday season,

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Absolutely! Bob32. Always they are the ones with the Medical Degrees 🙂 And they tell me just to make sure my BP is in check and I watch my cholesterol which I am doing. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a happy and HEALTHY New Year

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deedth64 | @deedth64 | Dec 23, 2023
In reply to @fjc1962 "Hopefully I can help you live more of a normal life than I have :) My..." + (show)
@fjc1962

Hopefully I can help you live more of a normal life than I have 🙂 My aneurysm was 4.5 over 12 years ago. It has been very stressful living with this condition and monitoring every 6 months or so. As it turns out, mine has been relatively stable and is now 4.8. I’m still have very high anxiety with it because that’s my nature. But my doctors/surgeon (primary, secondary and 3rd consultant) say I’m stable and I shouldn’t worry until they worry. But, for over the years I have been crazy thinking about this and didn’t live my life as I would have liked. At 4.3 my advise is, try and live your life…that’s very hard…but you have to try. Keep your BP under control and reduce stress. Yours is soooo small, with monitoring and control, you may never have to do anything. And, if you do, technology will continue to improve and advance that your risk will be significantly lower than it may be today. I absolutely know how you feel and I’ll pray for us both. Happy Holidays!

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Excellent advice that is what both my primary and cardio told me mine is 4.1

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glendamn | @glendamn | Jan 1 7:38am

Hi , My name is Glenda and I'm 59. Just got results for a CT scan for something completely unrelated. It seems I have a 4.2 cm Ascending Aorta Aneurysm. Completely took me by surprise. My father and grandfather both had aneurysm's , so I guess its a generic thing. the CT scan suspects bicupsid valve? so I guess some tests will have to be run?? Just waiting for my family doctor to be back in the office, and trying not to panic..

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2 replies
paul61a | @paul61a | Jan 1 9:08am
In reply to @glendamn "Hi , My name is Glenda and I'm 59. Just got results for a CT scan..." + (show)
@glendamn

Hi , My name is Glenda and I'm 59. Just got results for a CT scan for something completely unrelated. It seems I have a 4.2 cm Ascending Aorta Aneurysm. Completely took me by surprise. My father and grandfather both had aneurysm's , so I guess its a generic thing. the CT scan suspects bicupsid valve? so I guess some tests will have to be run?? Just waiting for my family doctor to be back in the office, and trying not to panic..

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You should be OK at 4.2 just take it easy u til you get to the Doctor.

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degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 2 12:15pm

Oh my goodness, DON'T Panic! 4.2 is considered quite small for an aortic aneurysm. Just relax, get recommendations for a good cardiologist as you will likely be monitored every 6 months to assure the aneurysm remains stable. Mine has remained quite small for 15 years although it has grown slightly to the 4.2 size. Your doc will give you recommendations to keep the size stable.

I wish you good luck.

Donna

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Fighter | @niravani | Jan 3 3:10pm
In reply to @Drew944 "Hi feel down too and try to keep my self up- I’m 48 and felt palpitations..." + (show)
@Drew944

Hi feel down too and try to keep my self up- I’m 48 and felt palpitations on and off since I was 8. I have 2 daughters 3 and 5. A 4.3 aneurysm was found incidentally 6/2018. Been depressed and scared since. I just wanted to share all the positive notes I have been taking to help make my self feel better which sometimes helps:
I wil be fine
Managed/Monitored.
no treatment needed
try not to worry about it
based on size - not dangerous - may never grow larger- keep bp low as it is-mine small-enlarged will be fixed if ever grows-routine
small/stable
no treatment needed-no surgercal indication now or ever only requires observation
no limitations other than bench/heavy weights
can live entire lives with this size and nothing happening
treatable when small - repairable when larger - there is a fix - monitored - most important.
gradual
too small - not a prob
many years checking - not now
keep fit
live and let live
keep up w apts
listen to dr's
repair rate high ie 98% - Full Recovery - Excellent They do millions of these
prob- 10 years - maybe more or ever- out repair - maybe new meds or non/minimaly-invasive fix's
stop thinking about it Dont do this to myself
file under all other worries u dont think of.

STAY POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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So true and appreciate this since staying positive will be important.

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23997929 | @23997929 | Jan 3 6:56pm
In reply to @glendamn "Hi , My name is Glenda and I'm 59. Just got results for a CT scan..." + (show)
@glendamn

Hi , My name is Glenda and I'm 59. Just got results for a CT scan for something completely unrelated. It seems I have a 4.2 cm Ascending Aorta Aneurysm. Completely took me by surprise. My father and grandfather both had aneurysm's , so I guess its a generic thing. the CT scan suspects bicupsid valve? so I guess some tests will have to be run?? Just waiting for my family doctor to be back in the office, and trying not to panic..

Jump to this post

As noted by many others you are not close to requiring surgery. It seems that is when you go to 5 cm or over. I am also at 4.2 and found out at 4.0 cm 2-1/2 years ago. I also got very worried when I found out but after seeing heart specialists who have experience in treating the condition, I found out it is important to be checked at least annually to monitor the rate of increase, keeping heart rate low, blood pressure below 120 and no heavy lifting or strenuous activities. A lot of good information in this blog by many others.

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1 reply
glendamn | @glendamn | Jan 4 5:50am
In reply to @23997929 "As noted by many others you are not close to requiring surgery. It seems that is..." + (show)
@23997929

As noted by many others you are not close to requiring surgery. It seems that is when you go to 5 cm or over. I am also at 4.2 and found out at 4.0 cm 2-1/2 years ago. I also got very worried when I found out but after seeing heart specialists who have experience in treating the condition, I found out it is important to be checked at least annually to monitor the rate of increase, keeping heart rate low, blood pressure below 120 and no heavy lifting or strenuous activities. A lot of good information in this blog by many others.

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Do you have a family history??? My father and grandfather both had aneurysms . Dr finally got a hold of me and said he was going to run a couple more tests , to check on the suspicion of a bicuspid valve ?? My BP is good , I do exercise and wonder how much weight is too much ?? But I feel like my emotions have settled since first finding out last week ! Thanks for the reply !!! 🙂

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