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Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
I was diagnosed in 2012 with ascending aorta dialation of 4.1 cm. In 2013 no change. Finally went back to dr in 2017 and echo showed 4.3 cm. 2 months later dr made me have a chest scan which read 4.5 cm. which is correct? Echo or scan? Dr wants me to have another in 6 months. Very stressful.
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Prayers for you! 😊
I understand your anxiety. I now tell my friends, i know what is chasing me, do you know what is chasing you? I also cut my weights in half, nothing over 25 pounds, met with my surgeon and cardiologist. Now i just relax and pay attention to my body. No use worrying yourself to an early grave. Now if it would only quit raining and allow us to plant.
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1 ReactionI am at 4.8 and 78 and feel good. I could worry a lot but decided i would rather play golf, bike and garden. Better use of my time. I have no control over the other choice.
@latrisha I believe the CT is the more accurate measurement of the aorta but I would certainly ask your cardio for his/her opinion. I believe normal size for the ascending aorta is about 2 cms. If yours is measured at 3.3, it might be considered as slightly enlarged. In any case, don't panic about this. Your aorta may be stable at that size and never a serious health issue. I suggest talking to your cardio about the results of your CT and if there is concern. My enlarged aorta has been stable at about 4 cm for years and I suspect I will never need surgical intervention. All that said, do be careful about your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause an aneurysm to grow. Exercise if your MD approves, and try to get some aerobic exercise every day, even if just for 20 minutes. This will help keep your blood pressure in check.
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1 ReactionI have spoken with a cardiologist he was like that was normal don’t let it go over 3.5. That when it be enlarged. I was just wondering about the echo was at 3.7 and the ct is at 3.3. Just wanted to know which one is more accurate. I will be seeing a cardiologist in a couple of weeks. Thanks
It is my understanding that the CT scan is the most accurate one
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1 ReactionI’m in a panic mode right now. I had an edco done two months ago every thing was fine with my heart. But i seen it said enlarged ascending aorta at 3.7?So i ask for a CTA of the chest it came back normal every was fine and my
ascending was 3.3 negative no aneurysm was found. I was wondering which one to
believe is the ct more accurate. Just try she has some one went threw the same thing
Oh my goodness Latrisha, your ascending aortic aneurysm is SO SMALL. This slight increase in size should be seen as a blessing to you because you know about it so early that you have time to take control before it grows to the extent it needs surgical repair.
Losing weight will help keep your blood pressure low. I suggest staying away from saturated fats as you don't want plaque building up in your artery. Staying away from red meat, eggs, mayo, full fat dairy (skim is ok), will help you lose weight steadily but will also help keep your artery clear. Fish is low in calories and low in saturated fat so will help you lose weight and keep your arteries clear.
I wish you good luck with this but really, it is a blessing you know about this now and have time to keep it controlled.
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1 ReactionThanks for the kind words. I’m just freaking out about this. And i said the same thing to my self i know about it early on. Do you know of anyone that might have this or going threw the same. Just need to talk to some one on the same level as me. I was think about going to the Mayo Clinic for a piece of mine
I think you are worrying unnecessarily about this. My ascending aortic aneurysm was about 3.9 twelve or more years ago. It is 4.1 now. Surgical repair isn't even considered until it reaches 5. But yes, do all you can to keep your blood pressure low. And if you haven't seen a cardiologist, you might consider seeing someone locally just for peace of mind. Your MD will be watching this to check on how fast it is growing, or even if it is growing. It might be very stable, especially if you get risk factors controlled.
Lose some weight and with your MD's OK, consider an exercise program of just walking every day. That will help you lose weight but will also help lower your blood pressure and it will help you to feel you are doing what you can do to control the risk factors. Avoid lifting heavy items.
I understand why you are freaking out. All of us with this issue likely had the same reaction.
Thanks for explaining things to me. I have hear its not an aneurysm until it reaches 4.5 and sometime high blood pressure will make your aorta enlarge.so I am working on these things. I am hoping you can become my support partner and I can talk to more. Thanks again
I am happy to talk to you any time. Let me know how you are making out on your weight and exercise. Losing weight and starting to exercise will help you take control of your health. And that is your goal.