Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

I am 64 YO female w/HBP. I also have a 4.1 AAA I see my GP this week and the Cardiologist next week. The Cardiologist originally found this on a catheterization in 2018. I am not sure if mine is growing or it stayed the same. However everything that I have read and researched indicated that < 4.5 is low risk of rupture and seems to grow at a slow pace. So I do not anticipate on my Cardiologist saying that I am a candidate for the repair and that we have to just monitor it. What I did find comfort in is that this is manageable with Cholesterol and BP controlled that will keep the dilation from getting larger. So that is what I am shooting for. My suggestion is to not focus so much on the AAA because there isn't a fix but to focus on what you can do keep the BP and Lipid Panel in check. Good Luck and God Bless

I’m a 69 year old female with a 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm that was discovered while having tests after my heart attack due to high BP. my aortic stenosis was severe and I had a TAVR to repair. I asked about having the aneurysm repaired at that time and the Dr said it wasn’t big enough to repair. Now I am constantly thinking about it growing. I saw my cardiologist at one month follow up and they didn’t do any tests to check it. What is the normal protocol to monitor it and how often?

Mayo Clinic

Thanks for the information. Best of luck to you and your brother. Where are you getting your DNA testing done?

Hi Chrisn61. I am going to be seen in genetics in March. I have a 44 ascending aneurysm. No risk factors, but it appears to be growing. My brother age 68 has a 42 ascending aneurysm. My cardiologist is sending me for the genetic testing, because the researchers are looking for common genes which predispose some people to aneurysms. They also plan to check all the arteries at that time. What I have read, is that there is a percentage of people who have dissections at smaller sizes than 4.5 to 5.0 measurement, and if a person has a genetic predisposition identified, then this would influence the schedule for a repair. I am just hoping that my brother's and mine dont grow anymore. We will see what happens. Good luck with yours. Plus I hope that the researchers are able to identify the gene or genes responsible soon.
UPArtist

O Ok I haven't gone to my doctor's yet to review my test results I go next week to the Cardiologist and this week to the GP. I typically don't lift free weights beyond 5 lbs. I am curious what he'll say regarding cardio if I have to monitor my heart rate as not to get it up too high we'll see. Anyway good luck on your journey

Just no heavy lifting. Just stating I swim for exercise, as part of introduction, sorry for confusion.

The doctors said no exercise?

I suggest you a good heart/thoracic doctor who specializes in repair of accenting aneurisms. They not only give good advice but also are there in case it grows to 5mm or more when it might require an operation. It has to be in a hospital that has comprehensive resources and does this operation a lot. Mine is also at 42mm. A lot of good advice from others in this forum. My doctors stress limiting the weight I lift, keeping blood pressure low, heart rate low etc. All the best.

I have been diagnosed with 2 spleen aneurysms. I was terrified because I had a ascending thoracic aorta aneurysm 13 years ago that required major surgery and getting a mechanical heart valve. The vascular surgeon said he wants to watch them because the surgery is very tough. I try not to worry but I do. Not sure why this is happening.