Can Coughing Increase Size and Risk of Aortic Anuerysm

Posted by mjm3 @mjm3, Jan 28 4:19pm

I am 67 years old with an ascending aortic aneurysm diagnosed last July at 4.1. I am scheduled for a six month CT angiogram next month to check for any growth – which I’m hoping there is none. However, over the last few weeks I’ve been battling a cold that turned into bronchitis that turned into mild pneumonia. Subsequently, I developed a cough that could be quite jarring at times. Late night googling found many different sources of contradictory information, but one stuck out that said “yes, coughing can be very dangerous for an ascending aortic aneurysm.” it did not specify how it was dangerous.
I have tried to contact my cardiologist twice about this and I must not be asking my question correctly because the nurse calls back with the reply that if I have questions about a cough, see my general practitioner. The GP said she’s not a cardiologist ask my cardiologist. It’s a vicious cycle. The urgent care doctor that prescribed antibiotics for the pneumonia had no idea about a cough correlating to a risk of aneurysm, but said to ask my cardiologist😵‍💫. Just wondering if anyone else had asked or spoken to their doctors about coughing, and if it causes the aneurysm to expand rapidly? I hope I don’t sound crazy, but I’m just really concerned about everything with this newly diagnosed issue. I want to be as safe as I can, but how do you prevent yourself from coughing when you’re sick. Cough medicine only goes so far. Thanks for any insight.

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wtamminen | @wtamminen | Mar 16 11:17am

In reply to @ric222 "No negative effects yet. Apparently becomes dangerous when taking 2000mg per day or more. I take..." + (show)

I have been taking 2000 mg of vitamin C a day for 30 years. It was prescribed by a urologist to prevent recurrent prostate infections. So far my kidneys are working fine. But I do have an ascending Aortic aneurysm that has been growing and is now 5.2 cm. I have surgery on April 9th.

msturcken | @msturcken | May 5 3:56pm

In reply to @pattytd "I have the exact same situation. 4.1 and bronchitis. I was also concerned about the coughing." + (show)

I have an ascending thoratic aortic aneurism that was 4.1 last June. The previous year it was 4.0.
I have been very frightened I am causing it to grow because I have chronic constipation and strain on the toilet . I have read this is a no no.
I get another CT scan in June and I am so frightened it has grown because if the constant straining on the toilet .
I am just very scared. I have started blowing out instead of holding my breath. I always use miralax every day.
Am I making my aneurism to grow. I am so frightened . The cardiologist does not know I have chronic constipation . He put me on a statin ( very high colesterol ) and a baby aspirin. I already take a calcium channel blocker and my blood pressure is in the good range 80% of the time. My diastolic pressure can get into the 80s.
So no more straining for me but I fear the damage I have done this past 11 months since last CT scan.
Does anyone else have problems with constipation that caused aneurism to grow or dissect . ??

tess55 | @tess55 | May 7 7:34am

In reply to @msturcken "I have an ascending thoratic aortic aneurism that was 4.1 last June. The previous year it..." + (show)

I recommend that you research Step One oatmeal. I have used it (and a statin) for 2 years. LDL Cholesterol was 161, now 70. I swear by it. You will visit the bathroom daily. I have a 4.5 cm TAA which has been stable for 2 years. Best of luck to you!

dbaxter70 | @dbaxter70 | May 8 10:03am

Curious about this as well

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