rory
@rory
@rory
Posts: 14
Joined: Apr 02, 2018
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.
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
@laverne Hi Laverne, It sounds like about the same diagnosis at about the same time of my life. Actually, I I was diagnosed a couple of years earlier than you and I am now almost 74. And I felt panicky and horrified that this has happened to my body. I worry about it only enough to keep me from doing something dumb like lifting heavy items, pushing something or dragging something heavier than 25 lbs. Actually, for pushing and dragging, I assure the weight is much less than 25 lbs as there is always the inertia which adds to the physical stress.
I go to the gym every day, spend 35 minutes on the strider, do another 30 minutes of core exercises but I am careful with weight training. I work slowly with lower weights. So far, so good, aneurysm is stable. I have never had any pain and my diagnosis was also "incidental".
How do you know that you should not lift over 25lbs? You have not had surgery yet?
Liked by degarden_girl
degarden_girl
@degarden_girl
@degarden_girl
Posts: 113
Joined: Jun 06, 2018
How do you know that you should not lift over 25lbs? You have not had surgery yet?
@annejam No, I have not had surgery for repair of the aneurysm. My cardio told me to limit what I lift. I am sure the 25 lb limit is conservative and I am sure I occasionally lift more such as lifting my suitcase off the rack before proceeding to roll it where I need it to be. I am just careful to stay in the general range of 25 lbs.
twocents
@twocents
@twocents
Posts: 36
Joined: Oct 28, 2018
@Drew944 I think you need to just take a deep breath and not be so scared. I am sure your cardio has you monitored for the rate the aneurysm is growing and that is the critical issue. If your aneurysm is as slow growing as mine is, it may be 20 + years or more before you need surgical repair. And by then, they may have an entirely different way of repairing it.
I suggest you talk to your cardio about how fast this is growing and knowing it is not growing at a fast rate might give you some peace of mind. I am sure your cardio has suggested limiting how much you lift and that must be tough when you have such little children. But you can sit and they can crawl into your lap and you can have the same cuddling without the lifting. When necessary, I do lift things that perhaps I shouldn't but so far, the aneurysm is hardly growing at all. I have been warned to NEVER shovel snow so I don't and I don't do any work/exercise outside in the cold of winter.
Think positively. Knowing you have this is better than having it and not knowing it is there. I understand your fear and how devastated you must feel but don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life. I wish you well.
@degarden_girl, I totally agree with the advice you gave @Drew944. When I was first diagnosed, we were immediately thankful that at least we knew and we could be proactive with my care. My son also has this very same thing. He is 37 years old, with a 5, 2 and 6 month old. He is monitored every year and follows his cardiologists recommendations. He doesn't dwell on his diagnosis, and lives life to the fullest and most importantly enjoys and loves those little ones. Like @dgarden_girl said, don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life.
Liked by degarden_girl
Drew944
@Drew944
@Drew944
Posts: 41
Joined: Jul 29, 2018
“Incidentental finding ” of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?
I thank you all so much for your wonderful support and kind words, I support you all too. TBD on the growth as stable actually lower reading from June to September so think won’t have another until June next year but maybe sooner if I can get it. Switching from Kaiser to Blue so I can choose. Working on living without the fear. Been told by cedars and mayo that since monitored and can be repaired if needed at 98-99% that we should be fine and that risk is like or better than anything else we do. Best to all
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
@Drew944 I think you need to just take a deep breath and not be so scared. I am sure your cardio has you monitored for the rate the aneurysm is growing and that is the critical issue. If your aneurysm is as slow growing as mine is, it may be 20 + years or more before you need surgical repair. And by then, they may have an entirely different way of repairing it.
I suggest you talk to your cardio about how fast this is growing and knowing it is not growing at a fast rate might give you some peace of mind. I am sure your cardio has suggested limiting how much you lift and that must be tough when you have such little children. But you can sit and they can crawl into your lap and you can have the same cuddling without the lifting. When necessary, I do lift things that perhaps I shouldn't but so far, the aneurysm is hardly growing at all. I have been warned to NEVER shovel snow so I don't and I don't do any work/exercise outside in the cold of winter.
Think positively. Knowing you have this is better than having it and not knowing it is there. I understand your fear and how devastated you must feel but don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life. I wish you well.
Thank you!
Liked by degarden_girl
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
I had open heart surgery at Mayo for the ascending aneurysm which was not dissected, just large, and the arch was rebuilt but no valve replacement. Actually got along quite well thanks to a wonderful doctor there, Dr Pochettino. Again, best of luck to you!
I think I am dissected. What does that mean? I will need open heart surgery whenever. Your testimonial is reassuring!
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
I had open heart surgery at Mayo for the ascending aneurysm which was not dissected, just large, and the arch was rebuilt but no valve replacement. Actually got along quite well thanks to a wonderful doctor there, Dr Pochettino. Again, best of luck to you!
Thank you to crhp. What does dissected mean?
crhp194
@crhp194
@crhp194
Posts: 93
Joined: Apr 27, 2016
I think I am dissected. What does that mean? I will need open heart surgery whenever. Your testimonial is reassuring!
I wish I knew what dissected means but I do not. Mine was not dissected. Try the Mayo site itself to see if you can find the answer. Still, if you need open heart surgery, try not to worry. While unpleasant,
The surgery is not as bad as you might think. I recovered rather quickly after the 8 night hospital stay and qyuicly I was able to resume a normal life. We are lucky to have the surgery option that was not available many years ago. Best to you and a fast recovery!
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
@kanaazpereira
@kanaazpereira
Posts: 2498
Joined: Oct 09, 2016
Aortic dissection occurs in a weakened area of the aortic wall or when a tear develops in the inner layer of the wall of the aorta. This causes one or more of the layers of the wall of the aorta to separate, which weakens the wall of the aorta.
Having an aortic aneurysm increases your risk of developing an aortic dissection. Here is some more information from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-dissection/symptoms-causes/syc-20369496
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
twocents
@twocents
@twocents
Posts: 36
Joined: Oct 28, 2018
Thanks! I received a copy of my echo and fortunately I am not dissected. I guess I will keep getting echos and watching and waiting and meanwhile living my life.
@anniejam good news for you! I had a CTAngiogram last August and my aneurysm had not increased in size. It's been at a 4.6 for a couple of years. I'm living my life and trying not to worry about it!
anniejam
@anniejam
@anniejam
Posts: 47
Joined: Nov 23, 2018
randy1950
@randy1950
@randy1950
Posts: 22
Joined: Sep 04, 2018
Aortic dissection occurs in a weakened area of the aortic wall or when a tear develops in the inner layer of the wall of the aorta. This causes one or more of the layers of the wall of the aorta to separate, which weakens the wall of the aorta.
Having an aortic aneurysm increases your risk of developing an aortic dissection. Here is some more information from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-dissection/symptoms-causes/syc-20369496
@kanaazpereira is there an explanation of Ciliac aneurysm like this one on aortic aneurysm?
Liked by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
@kanaazpereira
@kanaazpereira
Posts: 2498
Joined: Oct 09, 2016
Hi @randy1950,
Celiac artery aneurysms are quite rare, but given that the celiac artery is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta, here’s some information about abdominal aortic aneurysms: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350688
There’s a great discussion on Connect, about celiac artery aneurysm which I’d sincerely encourage you to view: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/celiac-artery-aneurysm/
@degarden_girl
@laverne Hi Laverne, It sounds like about the same diagnosis at about the same time of my life. Actually, I I was diagnosed a couple of years earlier than you and I am now almost 74. And I felt panicky and horrified that this has happened to my body. I worry about it only enough to keep me from doing something dumb like lifting heavy items, pushing something or dragging something heavier than 25 lbs. Actually, for pushing and dragging, I assure the weight is much less than 25 lbs as there is always the inertia which adds to the physical stress.
I go to the gym every day, spend 35 minutes on the strider, do another 30 minutes of core exercises but I am careful with weight training. I work slowly with lower weights. So far, so good, aneurysm is stable. I have never had any pain and my diagnosis was also "incidental".