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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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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms group.
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@colleenyoung
Hi, I’ve been on this site since I also had an incidental diagnosis of AAA during a further chest X-ray for lung nodules(benign), the first ct being taken for pending colectomy(also turned out benign polyp). I feel a sudden whirlwind of activity surrounding my health and my physical well being, which I always relied on as I was super healthy. I’m 65 and also this descent into the malestrom is occurring along with my new retirement from my job of 30 years! So this group discussion is pretty important for me to get a grip. I’d like to link up with the AAA group you mentioned. It’s scary.
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1 ReactionHi @maryswims,
I can only imagine your worry, so I wanted to let you know that you’re in the right group – Aortic Aneurysms – to talk with people who have similar experiences, and to get support from members who understand what you are going through.
Are you perhaps referring to the links that @colleenyoung provided?
Those are links to discussions – just like this one, in which you are participating. I’ve copied them again, below; simply click on any link and it will take you directly to the relevant discussion:
– Thoracic aortic aneurysm https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thorcic-aneurysm/
– Large ascending aorta in young healthy 45 year old woman https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-ascending-aorta-in-young-healthy-45-year-old-woman/
I have an ascending aortic dialation . Is this what you have?
Yes…diagnosed with 4.4 cm two years ago… always dizzy, frequent chest pains… always tired… very frustrating…
Yes, still in shock as perfectly healthy and 48 years young – totally incidental- been questioning why – gnc supplements, excedrin what – all told unrelated – trying to hold on to good possibilitiy that it will never grow beyond the 4.3 that it is now and has been for 6 months- feel great like could run a marathon- told from all research and support don’t worry keep healthy and blood pressure in good shape and may never have to worry or if needed can fix with a very high success rate if healthy. If I think otherwise I’m horribly depressed and feel doomed.
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1 ReactionI can relate completely. I’m 52 and have the same finding. Been tracking it now for a couple years and it’s been stable. A key to maintaining stability and preventing growth appears to be keeping blood pressure under control. Would appreciate sharing info on the best supplements for that goal.
Yes, & blood pressure is key but I don’t know what more I can do. Mine is high, anywhere from 127-152, diastolic and 87-95 systolic. I am thin, don’t eat salt, sugar, additives, or smoke. Drink very moderately, maybe I beer, or one red wine 3x a week. I also walk and ride my mike on a stand in winter. But, if there was something, that can lower mine without increasing or adding new meds with side effects, I’d like to know!
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1 ReactionMine is and has been about 104-113/80 or so adding to the mystery of cause which brings me to the supplements- did they cause a spike that caused the dilation – they all said to lower blood pressure like l-Argentine and citrulline but this and even aspirin give me palpitations so hard to know what to recommend. Are there any dr’s that specialize in this that help us all out or besides our own dr’s are we all we have ? I see for example blogs on Cleveland clinic where vascular doctors answer questions. If there are please chime in. Thank you!
Yeah that is a mystery. Perhaps it’s inherited spotty weakness of these types of tissues, some mal-absorption of a protein. Someday, a gene will be discovered. Meanwhile, awareness-although it can stress us, can prolong our life when worse may come. At least with the diagnosis, it won’t be mistaken for heart attack. I know it paints a different picture of how we envisioned our bodies that we love! But maybe it’s an opportunity to bless it anyway. In all our perceptions of wellness and wholeness, there is also some Force that is opposed. Maybe wellness cannot be called that without comparison to UNwellness. Yin and Yang. This is life. But we can help wellness by putting our trust in the entirety, and our intention to be calm and as loving to our bodies as we were before we knew.
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1 ReactionStandard process which is pharmacutical grade has a supplement called hawthorne. I believe it is suppose to lower blood pressure.