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Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Posted by rory @rory, Apr 2, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms group.

janet26 | @janet26 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @nancykare "Hi! I just found out a month ago that I have a 4.0 ascending aortic aneurysm...." + (show)
@nancykare

Hi! I just found out a month ago that I have a 4.0 ascending aortic aneurysm. My calcium score was 116. I saw my cardiologist and have another appointment in 2 months. I am very nervous about this. I am 67. My sister who is 60 has the same thing. She has know about it for 5 or 6 years with no change. I would love a second opinion — I live in Florida.

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I wonder what would cause the elevated calcium. MYbe that’s worth looking into as part of the cause. Just asking only going on what I have been reading also.

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laverne | @laverne | Jan 24, 2020

“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?

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47 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

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Hello @laverne, I’m so glad to see that you just joined Mayo Connect, welcome! I understand how panicky we can get when these “incidental findings” are discussed. Waiting until March for a follow up scan seems like a long time when you are thinking about an ascending aorta aneurysm. Don’t forget that it is always OK to get a second opinion. If you have a university or large research hospital in your area, that is a good place to start. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Mayo Connect is a great online community for people who have health concerns. Best wishes!

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laverne | @laverne | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

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Really out of my comfort zone. Small community along the east coat South Carolina. I don’t know healthcare here. MUSC in Charleston and DUKE in North Carolina. Really like my internal med Doctor and she has scheduled me with a cardiologist but not until March too. She is very laid back about it. More anxious now:(

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne "Really out of my comfort zone. Small community along the east coat South Carolina. I don't..." + (show)
@laverne

Really out of my comfort zone. Small community along the east coat South Carolina. I don’t know healthcare here. MUSC in Charleston and DUKE in North Carolina. Really like my internal med Doctor and she has scheduled me with a cardiologist but not until March too. She is very laid back about it. More anxious now:(

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Hi @laverne, There was a time when I was facing vocal cord surgery and I wanted the “best of the best.” Well, I live in SE Michigan and I found out that Cleveland Clinic was the best place, however, it too was out of my comfort zone. So, I enlisted the help of a friend and then family members to drive with me (or drive me). It was worth it! Think about who could be supportive of you. You can still keep your internist, just to get a second opinion on the heart issue. Give it some thought. If you are concerned and worried, it is important to be proactive and become your own patient advocate.

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laverne | @laverne | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

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Thank you so much!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

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Hi Laverne, I wanted to add my welcome. I’m thrilled to see you’ve connected with Teresa.
I’d also like to bring in other members who may have experiences to share. Please meet @morninglory @elsinann @teatime @thegoodwife @thankful and @ch246cf10.

Laverne, did you see these related Connect discussions?
– Thoracic aortic aneurysm http://mayocl.in/2bC9oIY
– Large ascending aorta in young healthy 45 year old woman http://mayocl.in/2gwDknX

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1 reply
nancykare | @nancykare | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @nancykare and welcome to Mayo Connect, Your concern about your new cardiac diagnosis is certainly..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @nancykare and welcome to Mayo Connect,

Your concern about your new cardiac diagnosis is certainly understandable. Here is some information from Mayo Clinic's website with some information regarding this disorder, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350188. I would encourage you to read this information. In most cases, the more a person understands their health condition, the better prepared they can be to ask good questions of their medical team and seek out the best treatment.

You mentioned getting a second opinion. This is always a wise decision. You mention living in Florida, there is a Mayo Clinic facility in Jacksonville, FL. If you like to set up an appointment there for a second opinion, here is some information about making an appointment:

"Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals, or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need, and the team members who will care for you or your family have the expertise and skills to provide the best care possible."

Mayo Clinic in Florida
904-339-5809
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday

I look forward to hearing from you again. If you are comfortable sharing more, what symptoms led you to the diagnosis?

Teresa

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Thank you so much for the info. I will try to get an appointment in Jacksonville.

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kdh1 | @kdh1 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @kanaazpereira "I'd also like to invite @ginko @kdh1 @jpmerk @dixitworld @amiscott32 @lynnw @grandmajan to join in –..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

I'd also like to invite @ginko @kdh1 @jpmerk @dixitworld @amiscott32 @lynnw @grandmajan to join in – I'm certain they will have some valuable insights and information to share intros group.

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I am wondering about after surgery follow up. I think I asked this once before. After my AAA surgery I had one following up with my vascular surgeon. He said everything was great and he would see me in five (5) years. Is that normal? Please reply. Thank you kdh1

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anniejam | @anniejam | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

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I too am concerned because I have a measurement of 4.1 on my ascending aortic aneurysms . Why do we get these? What is the treatment? and when? anniejam

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1 reply
degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @anniejam "I too am concerned because I have a measurement of 4.1 on my ascending aortic aneurysms..." + (show)
@anniejam

I too am concerned because I have a measurement of 4.1 on my ascending aortic aneurysms . Why do we get these? What is the treatment? and when? anniejam

Jump to this post

Some aortic aneurysms are genetic issues and others I believe can be from lifestyle issues (smoking) or high blood pressure. From my understanding, the 4.1 cm measurement is not terribly large. I think the important thing right now is to monitor how fast it is growing, if at all. Mine has been about that size for a number of years and appears to be growing very, very slowly. I believe surgical intervention is considered when the aneurysm grows somewhere in the 5 cm range. In the meantime, I am sure your cardiologist has recommended not lifting over a certain weight — for me, no lifting over 25 lbs. Also, absolutely no snow shoveling no matter how light the snow.

At this point, I don't think you should be losing sleep over this issue but rather, assure you are being monitored, that you are following your cardio's lifestyle advice and hold off the worrying until you see how fast the aneurysm is growing. In my case, I hope to die of old age before needing surgery to repair the aneurysm.

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anniejam | @anniejam | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

“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?

Jump to this post

I am 71 and have a 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysms and I am very concerned about it and what is the treatment for it? This is a repeat. Sorry. I just joined.

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