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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 16, 2018

Welcome to the Aortic Aneurysms group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. The aorta begins deep in the heart as it emerges from the powerful left ventricle, gently arching over the heart, descending into the chest, and finally into the abdomen. Some aortic aneurysms can be harmless; others can lead to catastrophic problems. I invite you to follow this group and connect with others, share experiences, exchange useful information, and learn about aortic aneurysms.

Get started rby clicking the +FOLLOW icon on the group page here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aneurysms/

There are some great conversations going on right now that I think you’ll like. Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and lets chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

Profile picture for ymca49
ymca49 | @ymca49 | Feb 25 11:55am
In reply to @moonboy "Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters...." + (show)
Profile picture for moonboy @moonboy

Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters. Knowing you have an issue makes you better than 99.99% of us who found out we had a problem only when we dissected. You just need to relax, keep your blood pressure down, take nice walks, and see your thoracic surgeon next month. No planking, deadlifting, or grunting heavy loads. I dissected suddenly and without warning. It was real disaster. I had no idea what an aneurysm was let alone an aorta. I am sitting here send you this message almost 11 years later, post two open heart surgeries, feeling better than I have ever felt. You're going to be fine. I know it's hard not to worry, but you've been given a gift from the universe--knowing you have a problem that can be addressed rationally and systematically with a planned operation. That beats a sudden dissection outside of a Marriott in San Diego, 1,600 miles from home, at 1:34 a.m. on a Sunday night, every day that ends in "y." You're okay and you're going to be fine. Trust me: don't take advice from anyone unless they either survived a dissection or a thoracic surgeon with expertise in aortic repair. Peace.

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@moonboycan you talk a little about your recovery? I’m three weeks out from open abdominal aneurysm repair and I have severe fatigue. No appetite. Can’t taste anything ..peeing every 2 hours. Don’t get staples out for 3 more weeks . I will say pain has been minimal thank goodness and that was a surprise to me. What was your experience with recovery

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Profile picture for sunnie2
sunnie2 | @sunnie2 | Feb 25 10:20am

Good luck Ed may the force be with you! I see my cardiologist every 6 months for monitoring. When you said you felt like a ticking time bomb, I remember feeling the same way. It took me awhile to get to see my cardiologist as well, 6 years ago and COVID. Never would I have guessed I had an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, showed up in a chest x-ray. As mentioned before blood pressure monitoring is the key, taking meditative walks, reducing stress( how do we do that in today's world?, and eating properly. Oh take your BP machine with you to the doctor's office to make sure yours is accurate. Keep us posted on your journey.

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Profile picture for edhenry1
edhenry1 | @edhenry1 | Feb 25 7:17am
In reply to @moonboy "Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters...." + (show)
Profile picture for moonboy @moonboy

Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters. Knowing you have an issue makes you better than 99.99% of us who found out we had a problem only when we dissected. You just need to relax, keep your blood pressure down, take nice walks, and see your thoracic surgeon next month. No planking, deadlifting, or grunting heavy loads. I dissected suddenly and without warning. It was real disaster. I had no idea what an aneurysm was let alone an aorta. I am sitting here send you this message almost 11 years later, post two open heart surgeries, feeling better than I have ever felt. You're going to be fine. I know it's hard not to worry, but you've been given a gift from the universe--knowing you have a problem that can be addressed rationally and systematically with a planned operation. That beats a sudden dissection outside of a Marriott in San Diego, 1,600 miles from home, at 1:34 a.m. on a Sunday night, every day that ends in "y." You're okay and you're going to be fine. Trust me: don't take advice from anyone unless they either survived a dissection or a thoracic surgeon with expertise in aortic repair. Peace.

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@moonboy thanks for the reply. As you know just hearing what you said helps.

Luckily an earlier appointment came open and I see the surgeon on Monday.

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Profile picture for moonboy
moonboy | @moonboy | Feb 24 11:43am

Ed, you're going to be fine. Relax. You've got a plan and that's what really matters. Knowing you have an issue makes you better than 99.99% of us who found out we had a problem only when we dissected. You just need to relax, keep your blood pressure down, take nice walks, and see your thoracic surgeon next month. No planking, deadlifting, or grunting heavy loads. I dissected suddenly and without warning. It was real disaster. I had no idea what an aneurysm was let alone an aorta. I am sitting here send you this message almost 11 years later, post two open heart surgeries, feeling better than I have ever felt. You're going to be fine. I know it's hard not to worry, but you've been given a gift from the universe--knowing you have a problem that can be addressed rationally and systematically with a planned operation. That beats a sudden dissection outside of a Marriott in San Diego, 1,600 miles from home, at 1:34 a.m. on a Sunday night, every day that ends in "y." You're okay and you're going to be fine. Trust me: don't take advice from anyone unless they either survived a dissection or a thoracic surgeon with expertise in aortic repair. Peace.

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Profile picture for edhenry1
edhenry1 | @edhenry1 | Feb 24 10:56am

Hi, Like many others I am glad that I found this site. Last week I was diagnosed with with a 4x4 cm ATAA. Initially I felt like I was standing on a crumbling cliff with a ticking time bomb in my chest.

Reading, research, PCP, and finding this site have allowed me to back up from the edge and achieve some perspective.

My appointment with cardiothoracic is still a month away so I will take any help to maintain my sanity.

Again thanks for the group because knowing that I am not alone is everything.

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Profile picture for sunnie2
sunnie2 | @sunnie2 | Feb 24 6:28am

Hi, glad to have found this site. I have a 4.6cm Ascending Aortic Aneurysm discovered by accident 6 years ago. I want to learn about others experiences with AAA and learn.
sunnie2

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Profile picture for houston13
houston13 | @houston13 | Feb 19 1:55pm
In reply to @mcb62 "@houston13 Thank you and thank you for the advice, the thoracic department denied my request to..." + (show)
Profile picture for mcb62 @mcb62

@houston13 Thank you and thank you for the advice, the thoracic department denied my request to see them and it took me a while to even see a cardiologist basically they found out I had a enlarged a aorta through a CT scan for checking for lung cancer.

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@mcb62 , Why would they deny seeing you? That is just not right, my surgeon saw me the following week after contacting him, don't give up, I have read people in this forum who have been monitored by a surgeon with aneurysms much smaller than yours. This is something you should even consider traveling or driving a longer distance if that is what it takes.

Find someone with a lot of experience, recognized in a major hospital, you don't want to take any chances.

You know you have it and that is already in your favor, a lot people don't get that opportunity, you can plan and find the right care and be properly monitored

All the best

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Profile picture for mcb62
mcb62 | @mcb62 | Feb 19 7:51am
In reply to @houston13 "@mcb62 at 5.1 cm I would have expected closer follow up and more guidelines. Have you..." + (show)
Profile picture for houston13 @houston13

@mcb62 at 5.1 cm I would have expected closer follow up and more guidelines. Have you consulted with a thoracic surgeon yet? As a reference mine was repaired at 5.2cm as the surgeon considered it large for my body size. The size of the aneurysm is one variable but there are others a surgeon will consider when assessing timing for a repair (body size, family history, other illnesses, general physical health, geometry of the aneurysm, etc)

Exercise is important, you want your body at its best for when you need surgery but there are guidelines, no over exertion, no lifting heavy weights and exercises that lead you to hold your breath and/or grunt. BP spikes during those seconds and can lead to big issues with your aneurysm. Controlling your BP is paramount and kudos for quitting smoking and losing weight, that will go a long way.

Again I would consult with a very experienced thoracic surgeon in a major medical center ASAP to get you evaluated.

Take care

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@houston13 Thank you and thank you for the advice, the thoracic department denied my request to see them and it took me a while to even see a cardiologist basically they found out I had a enlarged a aorta through a CT scan for checking for lung cancer.

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1 reply
Profile picture for amysue6rn
amysue6rn | @amysue6rn | Feb 18 4:42pm
In reply to @houston13 "@amysue6rn I think it varies a lot depending on the overall health of the patient, I..." + (show)
Profile picture for houston13 @houston13

@amysue6rn I think it varies a lot depending on the overall health of the patient, I was 1 1/2 days in ICU and 5 days total in the hospital, but that is on the low side. My wife could not stay with me while there.

I’m sure you will get anywhere between a week and 3 weeks in the hospital, with a couple of days to a week in ICU

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@houston13 thank you for responding. He is in pretty good health. We are traveling there and are looking into hotels for me. I just wasn’t sure if I could stay with him. I appreciate your response 😊

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Profile picture for houston13
houston13 | @houston13 | Feb 18 4:21pm
In reply to @amysue6rn "Hi everyone. My husband will be having surgery on his aortic root aneurysm and I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for amysue6rn @amysue6rn

Hi everyone. My husband will be having surgery on his aortic root aneurysm and I was wondering what the average hospital stay is…..how many nights in cardiac intensive care unit, and how many nights on step down unit? Am I allowed to stay in his room with him? Thank you in advance.

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@amysue6rn I think it varies a lot depending on the overall health of the patient, I was 1 1/2 days in ICU and 5 days total in the hospital, but that is on the low side. My wife could not stay with me while there.

I’m sure you will get anywhere between a week and 3 weeks in the hospital, with a couple of days to a week in ICU

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