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Can Coughing Increase Size and Risk of Aortic Anuerysm
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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@absma Kind of in the same situation.In my 80s and it’s really stressful when everyone says you’re not a candidate for Always took care of myself and in pretty good shape.
@absma About the same age and find they don’t want to do anything if you’re in this age bracket.
@pamela78
Yes I feel the same way. Also, half the time its nerve wracking to go to a doctor and ask about a serious condition and I for one don't express my problems...even if I have it written down...
Yes I feel the same way. Also, half the time its nerve wracking to go to a doctor and ask about a serious condition and I for one don't express my problems...even if I have it written down...
@jamiemj You're not the only one who does that.
this site and everybody is incredible. this past monday i passed out driving when a mucus plug i was coughing up i guess got stuck in my throat. it was left over from a recent covid episode. i'm very lucky not a scratch. car not so much. i have a few aneurysms (abdominal and thoracic biggest 4.8 cm). i don't like waiting at all!!!!!! good news like i said previously i'm alive, chest is clear per doctor (i have copd) and still play doubles tennis 5 days a week and even pickleball once in awhile. happy new year everybody and hope we all get to at least 2027 and maybe beyond. i am a young 78 year old.
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1 Reaction@lewee remember most aneuysms do not dissect or rupture
ty for the advise.
I've had an abdominal aneurism for quite a few years. It gets bigger every year. It is now 5.1 mm.
My thoracic aneurism was discovered about 2019 and requited open chest surgery in 2022. Follow-up was non-existent and in 2025, thank heaven, I found this site and asked someone if this was normal. They said absolutely not -told me to contact the hospital, which I did. Somehow they dropped the ball on me, so I had an immediate CT scan and got the findings from a different nurse than I had in 2022. The old nurse from 2022 was calming and reassuring. This nurse had my nerves jangling every time I asked a question. I was sure I had limited time to live. Not only did I now have 3 aneurisms, thoracic, abdominal and renal, but my arteries were clogged with plaque! I insisted I see the surgeon despite her protests.
The surgeon couldn't have been less concerned. He said the thoracic aneurism, although 4.6 mm, isn't really a new development at all, but is “left over” from the original aneurism, where the clamp was placed from the surgery. To replace more, the surgeon would have had to perform a much more invasive surgery, which would have been highly dangerous. He doesn't think it will grow.
The abdominal one, although 5.1 mm, is not at a concerning size until about 60-65mm (for years I have been told 55 mm by another surgeon.
According to this surgeon, like real estate, location is everything. I am 73 and told hime if he waits until it's 60-65 mm, I might be too old to risk it!
I do have a point. There is no point stewing about if it is growing or if coughing will cause a rupture. I am careful about not lifting anything too heavy, otherwise all you can do is make sure your aneurisms are monitored yearly. Try not to dwell on them and live your life.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience