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Double AAA watch and wait
Mark, 67 years old, 295 lbs,
Very active hobby farmer, animal husbandry with sheep and chickens, next year to add pigs.
Diagnosed with 2 AAA
Both at 4.7 cm
Pacemaker installed. April 2022
Mother had ascending aorta annurism of 4.5 cm
Mother and father both died of heart disease.
I was referred to Northwestern for Genetic testing this week.
Cardiac surgeon wants to watch and wait for 6 months.
I feel anxious about this process.
Any thoughts on Genetic testing?
How will that help me now?
I need to find a way forward.
Mark
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Do you mean Thoracic aneurysm? AAA is the medical abbreviation for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Hello Mark....unless you have children or immediate blood relatives that could benefit, what would be the point of genetic testing? You already mentioned your parents died of heart disease and had aneurysm, and you know your current status. The size of your aneurysms is still below standards for surgery, so unless there's other issues pointing to surgery, close monitoring and maintaining acceptable blood pressure, plus avoiding strenuous lifting or other strenuous activity would be beneficial in your case.
Ascending aorta annurism
Hi Mark. I am sorry you are dealing with this health issue. Your farm sounds awesome!!! Genetic testing would benefit you because there are different genetic anomalies that affect the decisions about timing of surgery. Some genetic variants trigger early dissection. So you should definitely get the testing. Good luck with this Mark! Keep up the good work!
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