Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@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

@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.

@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.

At age 64, I was solo backpacking in the Colorado mountains in 2009 when I noticed that my left leg was getting more tired than my right leg. Several tests led to an ultrasound that revealed an abdominal aortic aneurism, so in 2010 I had an endoluminal graft (ELG) inserted into my abdominal aorta via a catheter from my groin. I then had annual ultrasound checks for leakage around the ELG. In 2019, enough leakage was noticed to necessitate another graft being inserted inside the previous one. Now, after 6 1/2 years, annual ultrasounds show all is good. I’m 81 years old and glad I noticed my left leg getting tired 17 years ago. Obviously, I insist that my two grown children get annual aortic scans.

Hello everyone, I have an ascending aorta (5.1 cm), which has been stable for the last year. That's when it was found, but it could have been that size for many years. For several years, I had high blood pressure problems, smoked, and was close to 400 pounds. Now I'm around 200 and don't drink or smoke, 3 years clean Feb 5. I continue with my bike riding for 1 to 2 hours, 3 to 4 times a week. The doctor said as long as it stays stable, I will be on the watch and wait program. Anyway thats what I'm doing. Thanks

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.

@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