Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

I was diagnosed with a thoracic aneurism in 2022 @4.0 cm. Last scan in 2023 shows 4.3. A 3 cm growth in a year. For right now my cardiologist says we just watch it - and check it once a year. I don’t know if that is right or wrong. He is a great cardiologist but I feel a bit dismissed when I ask about the aneurism. I am now 70 years old and have had undiagnosed back pain for at least 2 years (mid back) and pain in my shoulder and neck when I am overly active. I have “normal to slightly high blood pressure until I get overly active (a treadmill test is a good example) when my blood pressure will bottom out. I haven’t been able to complete a stress test in 2 years. An angioplasty was done and nothing of significance was found. Cardiologist wants my BP to run a little high. But I am reading that for the aneurysm your BP is better low. I am so confused. And scared.

I am not certain I understand what your history has been. I can tell you that the aorta is commonly divided into sections: a part that comes out of the heart and goes toward your head (the ascending aorta), a part that arches over to the next section (the arch) , a part that comes off the arch and heads down towards you abdomen (the descending aorta) and a part that runs through your abdomen (the abdominal aorta). Here’s a description: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/17058-aorta-anatomy. Any part can contain an aneurysm. The type of surgery that’s required to repair an aneurysm can be different for the different sections. My understanding is that the abdominal and descending aorta typically require a less invasive surgery than the ascending aorta. I am not sure about the arch.

If you have an aneurysm in your abdominal aorta, it should be monitored. It sounds like your doctor is keeping track of it. The injection and scan I’d guess is a CT with contrast. As I understand it, that is commonly used to determine the size of the aneurysm. There is typically a size-based threshold for surgical repair. Also as I understand it, modern x-rays use much less radiation than they did 40 years ago, but the number of x-rays you are getting per year is still something your doctors should be tracking.

Good luck!

On a trip to the hospital for xrays and tests etc. My doctor a month or so later said I had abdominal Aortic An#######sm He said nothing else , eventually months later I was called for an ultra sound. The word abdominal appears different from what you folks are talking about. Is my issue away from my heart and near abdominal or does my guy just not know really. My next trip was off to hopital for injection of chemicals in the arm and scan. Forty years ago my doc then said he didn't want me to have any more Xrays I had far to many with all that I had experianced. That doc is gone I wonder what to do when I have been sent for Xrays all the time. Short story is this problem closer to gut then heart. Regards James Fraser.

Hi,
A TAA was found about 7 years ago after experiencing a pain beneath my left shoulder blade when working out. It has fortunately remained fairly stable at 4.3 to 4.5 depending on the measurement system, MRI, Echo , CT etc. Not big enough to trigger surgery, which is good, and identified as stable, which helps with travel insurance apparently. Two years ago, an echocardiogram showed some mild to moderate left ventricle regurgitation. Just recently a repeat echo showed that has increased to be considered "moderate- not quite severe ". I deal with a lot of fatigue. I worry that the aneurysm is contributing to the regurgitation issue. On watchful waiting . Typically I'm fairly healthy (other than chronic rheumatoid arthritis and a few other life things). Physically fairly active, but that goes up and down. I appreciate finding this group with whom to share, learn and support. Jennifer

Thank you for responding! Prayers for your continued health journey!

I had my surgery at Monument Health in Rapid City South Dakota. The surgeon here was amazing and having the surgery where I live was much less stressful than traveling elsewhere to have it. It’s nice that all my after care is here too, especially if there is a problem.

Thanks; that's exactly what I needed. It looks like it'll just be the aortic sleeve replacement. The root and valve appear to be healthy. They won't confirm that until they get and look around. Thank you for the detailed response and excellent advice. It helps a lot.

Thank you so much for this entry. It gives me hope! May I ask where you had your surgery?

Hello- new to group, hoping to gather insight and information on ascending aorta aneurysm. Mine was a surprise discovery in pre-surgery PET scan, 2022, for endometrial cancer. Went into Mayo Clinic for one issue, found I had another! Cancer determined the priority; following surgery and radiation, began cardiology in 2023. At discovery, 4.3 cm. Cardiologist suspects likely inherited, due to family history and my LP(a) is 358. Put me on CRESTOR and TOPROL-XL, annual EKG and lipid profile. Since diagnosis, I’m following a strict heart-healthy diet and walk 4-5 miles/day, at least 5 days/week. Feel like I’m walking around with a ticking time bomb.

Thank you for your comments. The second doctor was with a different practice and he said I should have a "gated CTA scan" because the first scans by first doctor were not very good but he showed me the moving valve and said he did not see the bicuspid. The first doctor actually showed me a still picture of the bicuspid but that picture was not sent to the second doctor. I've decided to change insurance in order to get a better team but joining the second doctor's highly rated practice with a trusted heart center. Thank you again! Keep that positive thought process!