Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Last year on my 56 birthday I had an abdominal aortic dissection 3.1 , I have it checked every 6 months now. But my question is, are there things that can be done to heal or help? I eat healthy as possible and as I have gained strength I exercise lightly (no heavy lifting). But is there anyone who has experienced better results as time goes by rather than worse? I would really like to do what I can and be a Grandpa as long as possible 🙂
Thanks for any suggestions

Hello all , I am 69 years old anddiagnosed withaortic aneursm 6 months agoduring a routine lung scan. It was 4.9 now 6 months later is 5.0. I am hoping to get better at proper lifting, bending ect. will improve and will have better results next time. My question is ,if I seek a second opinion, will medicare cover it? I live in centeral Wa so am relativly close to some bigtime medical centers. will my Dr have to set up the visit or do I?

So I dissected at age 50. Mine was an ascending arch section, so right above the heart. I am now turning 60 in the middle of December. I’ve survived 9 1/2 years without a hitch. I worked in the yard today all day, cleaning up leaves and Getting the garage ready for winter. I take my blood pressure meds regularly as well as a statin. I try to avoid super heavy lifts, but I will carry things that way in the range of 50 pounds. I probably shouldn’t, but I don’t have children that are interested in hauling mulch or dirt. I take an aspirin every day and I try to eat well and keep my weight down. I get regular CT scans of my aorta to ensure that there is no leakage and to ensure that it has stayed stable. I think that you’re going to be fine. If you’ve had your dissection corrected by surgery, I think there’s a really good chance that you’re going to have a normal lifespan. I read a study that said that if you survive an aortic dissection, your lifespan is actually a little bit longer than it normally would be because people tend to take care of themselves much better after they survive it. I think that’s true and I want you to think that that’s true as well. Not just because I say so, but because of the studies that have borne it out. I was very scared about my fate for the first couple of years after I dissected, but the more I researched and the more I read the more, I realized that this was a new chance at life for me and that I was not going to waste it. So, no drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no planking, no heavy, lifting and live every day to its fullest. Peace.

Thanks for the insight 👍

Are you being monitored regularly by a cardiologist? Aneurysms don't heal or get better with time. When they become more dangerous than surgery, it's time to operate. It sounds to me from what you say that you need more information from your medical team. Good luck to you.

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is to have your GP refer you to a cardiologist. Presumably he or she will recommend a bunch of tests to get a clearer picture of your heart. I assume that would include a CT scan. Don't worry about the cost. If Medicare doesn't cover something, throw yourself on their mercy. We all deserve good care. You could probably go straight to the big time center, but you might want to do a little research first to find out who the best surgeons are. I'm learning all this from this group here, so stick around. It'll help.

thanks for responding, I have been to a cariologist here who basicly told me don,t lift over 30 pounds and do another 6 months. I just had my 6 month scan and it showed a growth from 4.0 to 5.0 which he stated was accepable for me and do another scan in 6 months. I had to message them back and ask if they scheduled me or do I need to do it myself. They responded that they could it for me if I wished. Seems a bit lax to me and wonder how to set up a second opinion at one of the bigtime medical centers in Seattle or Spokane. NNot sure if medicare pays for second opinion or not

that growth was 4.9 to 5.0

Hi. I had a CT scan to see about cholesterol last week, and I just saw the results. I am so worried, because under "Other Observations" it says "Ascending thoracic aorta measures 4.0cm dia. and is borderline aneurysmal." I sent my cardiologist a message--he'll be in on Monday. Back in December of 2014, I was diagnosed with a Myxoma (tumor) inside my heart at age 58. That was the scarest thing that had ever happened to me. I had open-heart surgery in Feb. of 2015, and I had no cholesterol or any other problems. Now, ten years later, I have high cholesterol, which can be controlled. But I am so worried and scared about this borderline aneurysmal. I think it will help me to connect with others who have this.

You're going to be fine. Generally surgery is not implicated until you reached 5.0 cm. You are going to want to keep your weight down your blood pressure down and no smoking or heavy drinking. You'll see your doctor next week and everything will be just fine. I had a complete aortic dissection in 2015 that I survived. I get annual CT scans with contrast of my aorta and other vasculature and mine is typically 4.1 to 4.2 cm after open heart surgery to repair it. I am still here after 10 years and thankful for every day. You'll be just fine because you know you have an issue and you can deal with it in an orderly fashion, as opposed to an emergent fashion like I had to. Just meet with your medical team and follow their careful advice. They're watching out for you and you're going to be OK. Peace and have a relaxing holiday.