Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hi I broke 3 ribs last month and when they did my cut they noticed my aorta is enlarged at 4.2 I had surgery in September of last year and everything was normal. I am scared about this I used to weigh 396lbs I had Bariatric surgery in 2013 and 2015 I now weigh 174lb. I’m 46 woman my dad and his brother both had one repaired both my parents survived the widow maker and they both had bypasses. My mom passed away in 2024 she made it 9 months with her heart working less to 10 percent both of my sisters passed away at ages 35 and 33 they passed 3 months apart I had many tests with my old cardiologist but she left so I am using a new cardiologist. I’m kinda freaked out and anxious I have to wait til September 1st for my appointment. My family history is horrible on both sides of my family many deaths under the age of 50. I’m freaking out any advice to make it til September I know 4.2 is small to medium but it was normal in September is that fast growing? Google is frightening to me.

@keith5150 unlikely the aneurysm grew by 3mm in such a short period of time, the CT is usually a more reliable measurement. The important thing now is to establish a true growth rate, your cardiologist should follow up periodically using the same measuring method every time and maybe using the first CT as the base (or he/she may decide to establish a new base).

So yes, you should be asking for a follow up protocol that will determine the above (you may need a new Cardiologist if the current one is not responsive, try to find one that is a specialist in aortic diseases). Hope that helps

I notice this group hasn’t had any comments in a few years, but I’ll post this anyway and hope for some feedback.
In May of 2025 my Apple Watch notified me it sensed AFib. I finally got to see a cardiologist in October 2025 and he ordered a battery of tests.
The echocardiogram picked up an ascending aortic aneurysm. There is also dilation of the aortic root.
In June of 2026 I had a CTscan to follow up on the aneurysm. Here is how the numbers look.
The ECG the size was 3.78cm, the CT six months later shows it at 4.24cm. I understand the echo is not an equal measurement, but at 3mm growth in six months should I be pressing my cardiologist for more feedback on the size?
I am currently on Eliquis for the AFib, a statin and BP pressure medication. The PA is great, very responsive, my cardiologist not much.
Thank you in advance for any advice.

@laugsb1 PA's are great and fulfill a very important function, but in this case there are MDs or DO's (Cardiologists) that dedicate their focus on aortic diseases, aneurysms, aortic valves, etc they do research and interface with other specialists around the country to share knowledge and expertise. Sometimes they are part of cardiologist groups in medical centers or multidisciplinary aortic teams that include surgeons, etc. There's is big difference in their ability to answer questions, provide guidance and establishing the right follow up protocol vs generalist cardiologists. They may also suggest genetic testing to determine whether there is a family trait. What I tell everyone, you want the best surgeon (someone who has done thousands of these procedures). but the surgeon will stop seeing you after surgery, the cardiologist is for life, he/she will continue monitoring you after surgery, important to find a good one.

Good work losing weight!!!, continue on your path to fitness, it helps in all fronts, not only improves your body health, but also your mind, it helps with stress and anxiety, and in turn your BP.

Good luck to you!!!

@houston13 Thank you, and everyone else who responded so kindly! My current cardiologist seems qualified so far, but is a PA rather than an MD, and I am unaware whether she has a particular focus, so it seems I have some searching to do for one specializing in aortic disease, as well as for a surgeon I can consult with.

As for staying fit, I spent the last few months cutting weight and will continue on that path (222 -> 198). BP was probably borderline high for a while, and still trying to get that medicated correctly. The strain avoidance is difficult, as I like to rotate my own tires, do yard work, etc. but I do take that restriction seriously.

You’re gonna be fine. Listen to everything that at @houston13 says. I had a sudden dissection at 50 years old. I had absolutely no clue. I had no issues until I was cracked open having emergency open-heart surgery. Trust me emergency surgery is no fun. You on the other hand know you’ve got a problem you can deal with it. Having scheduled surgery with the right doctors, with the right equipment, with the right staff, at the right time, and at the right hospital, is the difference between poor outcomes and great outcomes. You’re gonna have a great outcome. You’re gonna be fine. I’m not gonna lie Open Heart surgery sucks. But the alternative is not to be here and that sucks a lot more. Trust me I flew up to Fargo North Dakota last night to see my 17-year-old daughter at State choir concert and I was overwhelmed by the experience. Mainly, because I am here for it.

All of us are here for our families and not for ourselves. So to say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. It was a joy to be alive and it was a joy to, 11 years after a dissection, to be able to see her and enjoy that experience. Then we drove home to Minneapolis in four hours while she slept. I was able to be there for her as her father and rescue her from having to drive home at night after a long week of choral rehearsals. I thank the stars above every day for everything I have and for the chance I’ve had to have a second life. You will too, and you’re going to be fine. Peace.

Ps. She’s the one in the middle all the way in the back.

@laugsb1 I have an ascending aortic aneurysm found on a ct scan for calcium score. Also no other medical conditions. This ct showed 4.5 cm. My PCP ordered CT angiogram immediately and it measured 4.1. I felt like a ticking time bomb. I got in with a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon that specializes in aortic disease. Received great education, genetic testing and developed a plan of care. I am now being monitored with CT angiogram every 6 months. For you to wait 3.5 months for a CT seems very stressful. This group has been most helpful for me. The visit with the surgeon relieved my anxiety greatly. Although I did not have high blood pressure before diagnosis, my anxiety after finding the aneurysm made it high., I now take be meds to keep it down and so far so good. Not sure what type of Dr. is following you on this but I would suggest getting in with a cardiovascular aortic specialist to help develop a plan. Good luck. Open heart surgery sounds very scary but there are so many stories of success in this group, hope you find hope here.

@laugsb1 as others have said, it is normal to feel anxious and worried about the diagnosis, but you know you have it and can monitor, plan and do something about it before (if ever) becomes an emergency, not everyone gets that opportunity.

With your body size, a 4.6 aneurysm (if size is confirmed with CT) may just get monitored for now. My recommendation is to find a cardiologist who is an expert in aortic diseases, not all of them are and it makes a big difference. The cardiologist will repeat CTs at intervals to determine growth rate, which is an important measure. He/she will also monitor and help you control your BP, which is one of the most critical variables.

You may also want to find the best cardiothoracic surgeon in a major hospital most accessible to you. The surgeon will answer all questions about the surgery, the risks in your particular case, periodical monitoring (may interface with cardiologist for that) and help you plan for any possibility of surgery.

Other than that, keep yourself healthy, you want your body at its best if you ever need surgery. Stay active, exercise but follow exercise restrictions, mainly avoid any exercise that leads you to hold your breath while exerting, like weight lifting, crunches, etc it is known that BP rises significantly during those seconds, and again high BP is the worst enemy of an aneurysm.

I had my surgery at 54, had a 5.2cm ascending aneurysm, I was in very good physical shape and my surgeon gave me >99% probability of an uneventful surgery, and that's how it went. I was out of the hospital in 5 days, back to work in 3 weeks. I was back at mildly intense work outs in 6 months, and full intensity in less than a year. Surgery is tough but bearable, the fitter you are the easier it gets. I live a normal, active life. Get checked every year by my cardiologist.

You will be fine

@cdt55 BTW, I’m 71. My biggest dilemma is am I getting tired cause I’m 71 or am I getting tired because of the heart issues? I go for a stress test in September. I suppose I’ll know then. Also, the CT scan is the gold standard. Then you’ll get the precise measurements. Mine went from a 4.8 ascending to 4.5 when I got the CT scan.

Hi. I have a 4.6 ascending and a 4.2 root aneurysm. I also have an immobile leaflet in my aortic valve. I was getting checked every year, but when they found the valve issue, they now check me every six months. Consider yourself lucky that they found them. Most people never know they have them until it’s too late. You will come to terms with that because you really don’t have a choice. I think about it every day. The best thing you can do is keep yourself informed. Listen to your doctors. Find the best surgeon you can. Don’t lift anything over 30 pounds. 6 foot one and 180 pounds. I try to keep myself healthy by walking a lot. You’ll be fine. Good luck.