Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@ps4613 I did think that way, when mine was found it was 5.2 cm and I am 5’6” so Dr Estrera told me it was very large for my size and based on a family history of ruptures (3 that we know of) he recommended repair sooner than later, so I couldn’t wait to have it done.

BTW Dr Cosselli is one of the most prominent surgeons in Houston, along with Dr Safi who I believe doesn’t do surgery anymore (both in their 70s I believe) , they both worked with Dr Debakey. Dr Estrera (I would guess in his 50s) was part of Dr Safi’s team and now has taken over as the chair of surgery. You can’t go wrong with with Cosselli or Estrera

All the best

I have recently been diagnosed with a dilated aorta 4.0 and a dilated aorta root 4.3. I feel like the NPs at the cardiologist office think it’s no big deal. And I have been a wreck .. I asked to speak to my cardiologist.. he is about to retire and sent me for a ct scan for accurate numbers. But also doing bloodwork for testing for connective tissue disorder. He always inform me that all heart surgeons he knew had retired. I’m looking for a new cardiologist and to see if I can find a surgeon to speak with me. I’m probably going to have to travel some more different but what I have read if you have a dissection and there’s not a surgeon at the hospital a lot of times you die before you get surgery.. I am 52 and don’t want to die. Anyone can give some advice I would so appreciate it. Does anyone have any chest pain with dilation?

Recently I was advised to get my cardiac status checked before some very extensive spinal surgery. I added Lipoproteins A & B, and a CT Ca score to the usual pre-op panel. I was amazed the lipos showed genetic risk of cardiac issues as low as it can test, and normal to low amounts of the kind of cholesterol which can form plaques. Not all cholesterol is bad (the brain loves it) and these new tests are probably going to show in future as better predictors than the trad lipid/cholesterol #s, So I was delighted. My Ct ca score was zero - no calcification anywhere in my heart or coronaries - who woulda thought? However, the last line of the CT had a comment about dilated Asc Ao. Immediately scheduled my first echo and the dilated are is only just above the valve. I found some recent research which correlates AAO size with age and Body Surface Area(BSA) and this new data suggest that 76 years of the jet of AO valve flow has stretched the AAO and it "may be normal". So waiting 6 mos for echo repeat (sees the entire AO)to see if this enlarging or stable. So - unsettling at best. But since AAO surg means open procedure and blood thinners for life I am hoping this is a stable unconcerning aspect of getting old. Do not need more surgery and drugs.

@angiecabinfever1 Hi, at 4.0/4.3 you are still ways from critical size, the probability of dissection at that size is close to 0. You know you have them, can have them monitored, plan, etc not everyone gets that opportunity.

As I always say, my recommendation is to find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and it makes a big difference. They understand the proper follow up protocol, and are able to provide much better guidance and answers than a generalist cardiologist. He/she will determine growth rate, and other variables that are very important, assess your general health and give you recommendations as to do's and don'ts. BP is the primary variable, it has to be kept under control. You want to keep yourself healthy, treat your body well, exercise but know the limits when having an aneurysm (no exercises that lead you to hold your breath like planks, heavy weights, etc), you want your body at its best if you ever need surgery (there's a chance your aneurysm will never grow to a critical size and remains stable, everyone is different)

Do research to find the most qualified cardiologist and surgeon, even if it means to travel a bit. Again, at your size the cardiologist will be more important but it is good to establish a relationship with a surgeon and have a plan.

All the best

@houston13
Thank you very much for the advice!

@angiecabinfever1 I am two hours from the surgeon that monitors my 4.5 cm aneurysm. There's no one closer. Thankfully, I trust him completely. He was trained at Mayo. He met with me in person the first time. Now he orders a CT locally and gives me the option to meet with him in person or by Zoom to discuss the result. If it lands in winter, I meet by Zoom. Otherwise, I use it as an excuse for a day trip to a larger town. The only issue/concern is that I don't think I'd have the surgery with him. It's a regional hospital and they don't do many of these. I gather that's important. So my plan is to link up with someone at the center I'd like to do my surgery if/when I get close to needing it. For now, this works great.

@bitsygirl
That’s great you have a trusted Doctor! I definitely need to find one and maybe it will help me and my nerves. I also have a heart that is on the right side instead of left so that also makes me more uneasy that it would be harder for repair if it happens.

@bitsygirl
Does anyone you know has had any chest discomfort with this ?

@angiecabinfever1 small aneurysms usually have no symptoms, they are usually found by chance.

I’m so glad to find this group! I’m 69, soon to be 70, and was recently diagnosed with a mild ascending dilation of 4.1 cm, accidentally found through a CT scan for an injured sternum, and then confirmed by echocardiogram. My primary dr. says it’s pretty minor at this point and I should just have it monitored yearly. She also doubled my Losartan dose, which has reduced my BP significantally.
Should I be satisfied with this or do I need to see a cardiologist? I’m trying not to worry, but knowing this can eventually lead to dissection has me unsettled.