Ct Scans With and Without Contrast Difference

Find a cardiologist who is an aortic disease specialist, (aneurysms, etc). My cardiologist’s areas of research are aortic diseases, aneurysms and aortic valves, it makes a huge difference when you have someone who truly understands. I found mine through the thoracic surgeon that repaired my ascending aortic aneurysm, and he sees me every year to monitor the graft, my valve (I have a BAV that was not replaced during surgery) and every 4-5 years orders a complete aortic path MRI (3 hours) to ensure no other aneurysms are appearing.

They exist, try to find one in your area, at 4.5 yours is still “small” but it needs to be monitored. In the meantime, keep yourself in the best shape possible, treat your body well, if you smoke, stop, watch your BP, exercise helps both BP and keeping the stress/anxiety down.

All the best to you!!!

Thank you for your comments and support. The Cardiologist I was referred to for consult was supposedly exactly what you mentioned in your excellent comments. I am 75, 5’6” 163# and a very active non-smoker.
My aneurism is seated just above the aortal root valve. My BP has been elevated for a protracted period of years ( family heredity is a factor; BP problems kick in around forty ) and “ resistant” to meds I took for years. My PC is doing her best to update medications I was on for years and gradually transition to a better combination. Trial and error. It seems to be working to a degree ; but not quite there yet. I am quite certain the past 35 years and family history of abdominal aortal aneurism are factors. Unfortunately I am in an area where health care is notoriously poor. I am not giving up. I used to work in healthcare and can recognize those who still “ care”. I just haven’t found one… yet. I will before 6 months pass. Wishing you the best of health. It sounds like you have a handle on things.

The way you were treated is intolerable A diagnosis like yours (and mine at 4.2) needs to be taken seriously and plenty of support offered. I spent a frantic weekend waiting for the results of my CT scan and emailed my cardiologist about twenty times in three days. I was terrified. If you don't get the treatment and attention you need, look elsewhere. I certainly would. It's very important to trust your doctors. There's plenty of stress in our lives without at least being able to rely on our medical care. I imagine most of us here have additional issues as well as aneurysms. I imagine many, if not most, of us are baby boomers. We've made ourselves heard before. We need to do it again. I'm not angry, just scared and bewildered.

Pamela. Again; grateful for my fellow aneurism “ friends”.
Yes; intolerable and callous. You are also correct; I have diastolic dysfunction but only stage 1. and compromised valves which is no surprise at my age. At least half of us over 60 have some form of heart failure . My hypertension for decades although being treated has been “ resistant”. I got up to four medications in attempts to bring it down. I had a “ crisis” several weeks ago and avoided a stroke. My diastolic hit 124. My PC is striving to find a combination that works better. I got off Lisinopril 40 mg ( max) ( black box drug) and will never use it again. I see my PC today and will see what she thinks. Moving from Upstate NY and some of the best Cardiac University affiliated Hospitals to this area down south has been difficult. Since moving; CHI ( Chattanooga Heart Institute) Memorial 4 hours south of here; it has been all downhill. I won’t give up searching though. There has to be one out there somewhere! :)! Thanks for caring! HUGS! Suzie