Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Yes, getting checked is a good idea for sure. I have a 4.5 ascending thoracic aneurysm and my cardiologist didn't ring any alarm bells. I had an ECHO in May and he said come back in a year for another one. Having done a lot of research on the topic, I responded with the fact that other individuals in the 4.5 range were having their aneurysms monitored every six months. He said we'd discuss it when I came back in six months. I see him in May 2020. Worrying about it will only stress you out and prevent you from enjoying life. When I don't dwell on it and imagine how much time I have left to live and will I be in pain if it ruptures and for how long and will I be going to heaven or hell (I don't really believe in a "hell"), then I stop and say to myself there is nothing for me to do but surrender to the inevitable. That inevitable is for everyone, including me! Live your life to the fullest and cultivate a philosophy which embraces life -- not just physical existence, but spiritual existence as well. I feel fortunate that I know I have this and it could remain stable for years and years to come and so can yours. Take your blood pressure medication and do what your doctors tell you to do.

I’m also at 4.5

Please keep us posted. I’m at 4.5 & nervous. Get checked often.

Hi, call me sid. I have been diagnosed with a n abdominal aortic aneurysm 3yrs ago, Initially at 3.8cm, as of today 4.5cm, it is really scary.

I can't honestly recommend any person I haven't met and discussed my situation with. What I've done thus far was Google thoracic aortic aneurysm surgeons at the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale. The search results indicated a number of them. As I said in my earlier post, that if and when the time appears that I need to be more proactive about this, then I will ask my cardiologist for a referral and, at the same time show him my compiled list of Mayo surgeons and ask if he knows any of them. Based on personal reviews of the doctor's by other patients, I will make my choice, if my cardiologist is not familiar with anyone on the list. I hope this helps and know that this message board has some really good advice and encouragement.

Please state what doctor you recommend as Mayo Phoenix is my first choice. I live in Tucson.

Hi, I have a 4.5 AAA and am 75 years old. I've been researching doctors at the Cleveland Clinic as well as Mayo in Scottsdale. I live in Phoenix as well. My cardiologist is with HonorHealth but if and when I need some attention other than watch and see, I will be going to Mayo. June

Mine is the same size and in the same place, and I was asymptomatic (found it during a normal chest ultrasound with a cardiologist - heart disease is in my family). How's your blood pressure? At least the dizziness could be attributable to that. Mine was somewhat high (around 140-150/85-90),but I started on olmesartan and it's regular now, and the dizziness seems to have gone away (and my 6-month MRA showed no growth over the initial CT scan last year)

Hi Lynette,

Firstly, let me say that I am not a doctor or work in the medical field in any way. Due to an uderlying medical condition, I do have a lot of personal experience. That is a fairly quick progression, but as for size, you still have some room.

Do you have a job that requires lifting, do you work out rigorously? Those are things that you should not do. I always tell people with an active aneurysm not to lift anything that weighs more than a gallon of milk.

One other question. Did these measurements both come from CT or MRI scan? If so, what prompted the second scan so quickly?

Hi Sonya. I don't see where it says that you have seen a cardiologist, but you should.

Everyone has different symptoms, but you certainly can have horrific pain between the shoulder blades if you have a sudden bulge in the wall instead of just a progressive slow growth of the aorta. I did and I had sudden visual brown out. I use this term because I didn't pass out.