Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hi Folks,

I am 6 months post ascending aneurysm surgery (they replaced one section with a dacron graft and spliced another) and have been recovering well from a strength and exercise perspective. That's the good part. I did get diagnosed with acute pericarditis a few months ago but with meds, that has dissipated although I still have some tenderness and pain in the lower part of my chest that seems 'stable'.

What's really bothersome are these irregular heartbeats that come and go... some are just a few fast beats but other times I get pounding for a few beats... nothing sustained like afib, but I have noted that I am more frequently out of breath these days (climbing stairs, hiking, etc). This is a little bit worse than it was a month ago and it is affecting my sleep, but doesn't (yet) seem to be affecting my ability to do other things.

My question for the group is whether this is common amongst those that have had surgeries of this type. I will mention all this to my cardiologist in a couple weeks but am trying to get some feedback beforehand.

Thanks

I did the same, my cardiologist is not only an expert in aneurysms and bicuspid valves but also works with a team of geneticists as he does research regarding those subjects. He actually suggested I got tested and asked me to participate in a research study to identify genetic markers for aneurysms (my siblings and mom participated too). He also got my children tested for bicuspid valve and MRIed for possible aneurysms (all clear). That’s why I think it is so important to have a cardiologist that specializes in the subject, I’m blessed to have one.

Hi everyone,
I had an open AAA procedure about 3 months ago which was successful but i am now experiencing frequent discomfort in my right buttock
Whilst I was told this could happen post surgery due to possible ‘clot residue’ in the blood vessels, i wasn’t given any advice on what if anything can be done to alleviate this condition.
Anyone ??

I completely understand , I have BAV and I’ve encouraged both my boys to be screened for bicupsid valve and aneurysm . I’ve had weird things happening so I wanted to be screened for connective tissue disorders . Maybe once I finally get an appt with a cardiologist and will ask him. I wish you well and thanks for replying:)

I'm in the US. I'm getting the test because I asked for it and my cardiologist referred me. I want to know if what I have is genetic or not. If it is, I want to tell my kids. My son is 54, my daughter 47, and I believe they would benefit from knowing. It really has nothing to do with me. It's all about them.

I plan to have that genetic test as well. I only just learned about it. I hope my kids don't have a bad gene. Yes, it does rather stay on one's mind. It's like Before AAA and after diagnosis. The world has shifted a bit. This group helps.

I dissected completely at age 50 in 2015. I survived because I was in the middle of downtown San Diego when it happened, an ambulance arrived within 2 minutes, and I was only 5 miles away from the best cardiac emergency care center in California. I would never consider flying with your condition if my doctor was recommending that I have surgery. But, that's your decision. An aneurysm is like the bulge in the side of your left front tire. Do you want to go on a long trip into the desert on that tire and take the risk that it will blow out? Or would you rather get it fixed and travel safely? There is no one answer for everyone. It's about what level of risk you would be comfortable with.

But, I can tell you from having suffered a sudden and complete aortic dissection, after a long flight from Minneapolis to San Diego, then a day in 113F in the Anza Borrego Desert, followed by two long days teaching a seminar, that I would not risk my life again like that. If I had been in the air at the time I dissected, we wouldn't be having this exchange. That said, I just got back last night from a 3 hour plane ride back from DC and it went great. I also have a 13" long Dacron Aortic Graft inside of me that keeps alive. I am so very thankful for every day I have. Peace.