Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Thank you! I plan to see a cardiologist soon, unfortunately in my local area none seem to have the experience I would like. I am at least 1/2 to 2 hours away from a thoracic surgeon. Wanted to get established and hopefully avoid an emergency. Hoping he can give me an opinion or recommendation . Knowledge helps me tremendously. This group is most encouraging!

Hey there - first time here on the Mayo Aortic Aneurysm group. I'm male, 68 yrs old, healthy, active and in good shape, played sports & worked out my entire life. Aortic Root aneurysm just measured 4.6cm on 1/19/26 - previously 4.2cm when discovered six months ago (Jul 2025). I have CT Scan scheduled this week 2/11/26. My PCP referred me to cardiothoracic surgeon but can't get in till 3/30/26. Put myself on CXL list to hopefully get in sooner. I've experienced occasional chest pain and pressure a few times but soon it went away so hard to know if it's even related. Still work out at gym and all seems good with that so trying not to overreact. Don't think there's much else I can do other than wait. Any additional thoughts or suggestions much appreciated.

Hey there. I had a complete aortic dissection in 2015 which was sudden and an emergency. My best recommendations for you are that you’re not doing any exercises that involves holding your breath. No planking, no dead lifting, nothing that involves valsalva maneuver— forcefully exhaling against a closed airway to increase pressure in the chest and abdomen. I would absolutely take it easy. Walking is fine. Weightlifting is out. Do not take advice from anyone who has not survived a sudden aortic dissection or isn’t a cardiothoracic surgeon with an expertise and repairing dissected aortas. Keep your blood pressure down and your spirits up. I would have traded my left arm to know that I had a problem in order to deal with it. You do not want to dissect. Take this seriously. it was a really treacherous and difficult road back from this surgery for me and I would simply encourage you to have a schedule operation in a major heart care center near you. If this is planned and scheduled, it is imminently successful. If you dissect suddenly and you’re not across the street from cardiac ICU and surgical center, you’re gonna have a hard time surviving it. That’s the reality. The great news for you is you know you have a problem and you are not yet a surgical candidate at this point. Keep your blood pressure down. Feel free to post here right back directly to me if you want to talk more. Peace.

Here I am two days ago at UCSD San Diego looking at colleges with my 17-year-old. This is the hospital that saved my life so I’m thinking about sending some money back to them…

@coastalguy26 besides everything @moonboy recommended, I would advise you to find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and it makes a big difference, especially as you try to navigate what kind of activities you can keep doing and to what intensity. (Look for Dr Prakash’s videos in this forum). Maintaining your BP under control is paramount, that’s why you shouldn’t exert in anyway while grunting or holding your breath, BP spikes significantly during those seconds. Remember the surgeon will see you before, and a couple of times after surgery, the cardiologist will follow you for the rest of your life.

Like you, I was in very good shape when they found mine at 54 yo, 5.2 cm, exercised all my life, actually it was found after an MTB accident. Having a healthy body will be your main asset when and if you ever need surgery. My recovery was very fast and 6 years later, I am as active as I was before

Wish you the best

@moonboy Thanks for the info & suggestions. How old were you when it happened?

@houston13 Yes on the “specializes in aortic diseases”. The surgeon I’m meeting with on March 30 is exactly that. I’ve set up a second appointment on 4/11/26 with another highly regarded cardiothoracic surgeon from Brigham Mass General and expertise in aortic diseases. Considered a Center of Excellence in the field so want to explore all possibilities. Appreciate your insights, I’ll keep all posted once I know more.

50. I’m now 61

@coastalguy26 it’s great that you’re seeing a surgeon and getting second opinions, it’s important to build a relationship and plan who you would have surgery with. But again those are surgeons not cardiologists, I also saw a cardiothoracic surgeon first as my aneurysm was fairly large when found, he then referred me to a cardiologist (who is an aortic disease specialist) to start monitoring and follow up after surgery. The surgeon who was awesome saw me once after I left the hospital and never again, the cardiologist sees me every year. Every ~4 years he orders full aortic scans to ensure no other aneurysms are appearing.

@houston13 Yes you are right about seeing more than just a thoracic surgeon. Only one is a surgeon - the specialist from Brigham Mass General is a highly regarded Cardiologist, which is the main reason why I am seeing him. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Thanks again for the follow-up.