Ectasia of ascending aorta

Thanks for sharing your situation. As someone who’s been through some serious aortic issues, I can tell you that your concern is completely valid, especially with the family history you mentioned. A jump from 3.8 cm to 4.3 cm is worth taking seriously.

You’re absolutely doing the right thing by pushing for a referral to a cardiologist and requesting follow-up imaging. Sometimes these changes can be within normal variation, but in my experience, it’s better to be cautious. A second look from someone who specializes in aortic conditions can give you a clearer answer.

Your family history adds another layer here, even though your dad’s aneurysm was abdominal. There’s definitely evidence out there that aneurysms, whether abdominal or thoracic, can have a genetic component. The cardiologist will hopefully connect the dots between your imaging results and that history.

When you see the cardiologist, I’d suggest asking about more precise imaging like a CT angiogram or MRI. Those can sometimes give a better picture of what’s going on with the aortic wall and whether the growth means anything significant. And it’s also worth talking about how often you should monitor this going forward, especially if the growth seems to have been fairly rapid.

Bottom line: your instincts to follow up are spot on. You know your body and your risks better than anyone, and advocating for yourself in situations like this is always the right move. Peace.

Thank you so much for letting me know how to talk to the cardiologist and the questions to ask. I appreciate this so much. Blessings

When in doubt, scan. That would be my advice. I'm not a doctor, just a worry-wort, but I think living with anxiety and uncertainty are harmful to one's physical health. Especially with your family history. Find some peace.

You were absolutely right, you need a re-evaluation by a cardiologist. I am a nurse myself and have worked in emergency care, I would have done the same thing!
Take care❤️