Ascending aortic aneurysm could be genetic

Aneurysms can be genetic. In my case I had 2, one in the brain and an ascending aortic. Both repaired. My brother has 3 in his brain and we know of at least a couple of family members that died of ruptured aneurysms.

My cardiologist who is also a geneticist, checked for know markers and could not find one, so his assumption is there may be one yet to be identified and enrolled us in a genetic research he was conducting, it won’t help us but may help others.

In my case I also have a bicuspid aortic valve which he told me are known to be contributors to aneurysms, so double whammy. My children were tested both for brain and possible bicuspid valves and were negative. They will have to get new tests maybe in 10 years or so.

In my case, he orders full aortic MRAs every 4 years to make sure no other aneurysms are appearing, remember the Echo only sees the aorta around the heart but not the descending side all the way to the abdomen, and aneurysms can appear anywhere along the aorta (and other arteries). You should also not rely solely on the Echo to determine size and growth rate, CTs are more accurate. My MRAs last about 3 hrs as they check groin, abdomen and thorax. I also get brain MRAs by my neurosurgeon.

All the best

Aneurysms can be genetic. In my case I had 2, one in the brain and an ascending aortic. Both repaired. My brother has 3 in his brain and we know of at least a couple of family members that died of ruptured aneurysms.

My cardiologist who is also a geneticist, checked for know markers and could not find one, so his assumption is there may be one yet to be identified and enrolled us in a genetic research he was conducting, it won’t help us but may help others.

In my case I also have a bicuspid aortic valve which he told me are known to be contributors to aneurysms, so double whammy. My children were tested both for brain and possible bicuspid valves and were negative. They will have to get new tests maybe in 10 years or so.

In my case, he orders full aortic MRAs every 4 years to make sure no other aneurysms are appearing, remember the Echo only sees the aorta around the heart but not the descending side all the way to the abdomen, and aneurysms can appear anywhere along the aorta (and other arteries). You should also not rely solely on the Echo to determine size and growth rate, CTs are more accurate. My MRAs last about 3 hrs as they check groin, abdomen and thorax. I also get brain MRAs by my neurosurgeon.

All the best

@houston13
You are lucky to have great doctors. I am working on my 2nd cardio, I had only 15 mins, never looked at any of my records. He was fixated on my LDL numbers, and his assistsant could not find it on her Ipad, so I pulled out my paper copies. I finally mention my ascending thoraic aorta dilstion of 4cm and he just said do yearly ct exams, and do surgery once it get to 5.5 cm. Never offered any genetic testing, no offer to check my brain, neck, or femoral artery, or descending aorta. My height is 5'1" so my dilation is completly different than a 6 foot 1 male. Asked for a MRI heat, he dismissed it. Statin prescribed, echo, nuc stress test and onto his next patient. And I have a strong family hx, both parents had hx of cardiovascular disease as well, but who cares, there is no one to really review my medical hx.

Aneurysms can be genetic. In my case I had 2, one in the brain and an ascending aortic. Both repaired. My brother has 3 in his brain and we know of at least a couple of family members that died of ruptured aneurysms.

My cardiologist who is also a geneticist, checked for know markers and could not find one, so his assumption is there may be one yet to be identified and enrolled us in a genetic research he was conducting, it won’t help us but may help others.

In my case I also have a bicuspid aortic valve which he told me are known to be contributors to aneurysms, so double whammy. My children were tested both for brain and possible bicuspid valves and were negative. They will have to get new tests maybe in 10 years or so.

In my case, he orders full aortic MRAs every 4 years to make sure no other aneurysms are appearing, remember the Echo only sees the aorta around the heart but not the descending side all the way to the abdomen, and aneurysms can appear anywhere along the aorta (and other arteries). You should also not rely solely on the Echo to determine size and growth rate, CTs are more accurate. My MRAs last about 3 hrs as they check groin, abdomen and thorax. I also get brain MRAs by my neurosurgeon.

All the best

@houston13
You are lucky to have great doctors. I am working on my 2nd cardio, I had only 15 mins, never looked at any of my records. He was fixated on my LDL numbers, and his assistsant could not find it on her Ipad, so I pulled out my paper copies. I finally mention my ascending thoraic aorta dilstion of 4cm and he just said do yearly ct exams, and do surgery once it get to 5.5 cm. Never offered any genetic testing, no offer to check my brain, neck, or femoral artery, or descending aorta. My height is 5'1" so my dilation is completly different than a 6 foot 1 male. Asked for a MRI heat, he dismissed it. Statin prescribed, echo, nuc stress test and onto his next patient. And I have a strong family hx, both parents had hx of cardiovascular disease as well, but who cares, there is no one to really review my medical hx.

@turtle2026 That's that nature of the medical profession these days. I too had difficulty getting into see a cardiologist and with a ATAA 4.2 & ROOT 4.4, I was TOTALLY interested in current status. But the doc was into other heart conditions and passed over the aneurysms without much interest. But He made we wear a heart monitor for two weeks and said I had left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy, this based only on a EKG. So, it seems like they are going to follow what they have been trained to do and are interested in rather than what happens to interest the patient. But good luck trying to get a Cardio Thoracic Surgeon to see you unless you are 5.5cm and on the verge of dissection or blow-out, then you might get some attention.

@dew88 Hello, I appreciate your reply.
I am scheduled for a nuc stress test, an echo, complete with Angel Ultrasound, and also a heart monitor for two weeks.

My cardio office services includes aneurysm. I have sent a message on my portal to the cardio, who is also the director of the multi-location practice. He is highly recommended. Unfortuantally he gets double booked according to a 3 yr patient I talked with. It's common sense you cannot fully complete a new patient workup in 15 min. I am sure this frustrates many patients.

First, I am short statured at 5'1", this makes a huge difference in my monitoring, and when surgery is needed.
I have sent a message on my portal to the cardio, this is what I sent:
Questions from my new patient exam.
1) Aortic Risk & Small Stature Indexing
Indexed Risk: At 5'1", my Aortic Size Index (ASI) is 2.31 cm/m², projected to reach ~2.53 as I lose 30 more lbs. I am requesting that my risk be monitored based on indexed size and growth velocity rather than absolute numbers.

2) Genetic Panel Request: Due to strong bilateral family history and multi-vessel involvement, I am requesting a TAAD (Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection) Genetic Panel.

3) Requesting--MRA Head and Neck test.......With a Hx of ascending thoracic aorta dilation found in 10/2025, and to assess vascular abnormalities, such as aneurysms or stenosis in the carotid arteries. A f/u on the abnormal findings of my CIMT results, which was included in my medical records that was scanned in by your staff.

I have spent alot of time, and paid alot of my own money on testing, just to make the most out of my specialist visits. It's my health, and I am going to participate, and be my own advocate.

@turtle2026 That's that nature of the medical profession these days. I too had difficulty getting into see a cardiologist and with a ATAA 4.2 & ROOT 4.4, I was TOTALLY interested in current status. But the doc was into other heart conditions and passed over the aneurysms without much interest. But He made we wear a heart monitor for two weeks and said I had left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy, this based only on a EKG. So, it seems like they are going to follow what they have been trained to do and are interested in rather than what happens to interest the patient. But good luck trying to get a Cardio Thoracic Surgeon to see you unless you are 5.5cm and on the verge of dissection or blow-out, then you might get some attention.

@dew88 ....As for the Throacic surgeon, my choice will be the Mayo clinic since I have one 40 min from my house. The Mayo clinc has a specialized cardiovascular department that treat various aneurysms. The Mayo Clinic Aortic Center is considered a premier center for diagnosing and treating serious and complex aortic diseases, including thoracic aortic aneurysms, and their campuses are nationally recognized for expertise in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Who knows, if my current cardio practice that also includes services for aneurysms, doesn't work out, I will apply to Mayo Clinic. Hopefully they would give me the opportunity for an appointment.
Take Care, hoping you get the healthcare you know you need and deserve.