Has anyone ever shrunk an Aneurysm?

Hello @tripleaaa - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

You pose a very interesting question, and like you, I had a hard time gathering information. However, here are a few articles that you may find insightful:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8910935/#:~:text=Recent%20studies%20demonstrate%20that%20patients,AAA%20will%20shrink%20or%20not, https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-most-aortic-aneurysms-are-small-develop-slowly/.

It doesn't appear that there are any known paths to reversing the growth of an AAA naturally. The NIH study acknowledges that the research and guidelines need updating as they are decades old, but there is no mention of natural remedies to reverse.

@tripleaaa - were you given any guidelines as far as your activity and lifestyle go after your lifesaving surgery?

Thanks. I wasn’t given much to go on, just the standard, don’t lift more than 30 pounds, keep my blood pressure under 130 (My diastolic is around 50 since the surgery) and take my pills (beta blocker, lypator). I do have a cardiologist now so I may ask him but I feel like if there isn’t a pill to prescribe then they won’t tell me it can be done.

I’ve incorporated a whole list of new daily routines (green tea, vitamins - saw a study on Vitamin C on rats 🤣, meditation, etc.) in hopes I can shrink the other 2. I didn’t have the EVAR surgery but the more evasive one. Taking it a day at a time, enjoying every second of it.

My cardio said my aneurysm cannot get smaller as it is like a balloon that has been blown up. The balloon will never go back to its original shape and neither will the area of the aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weak spot in the artery and we don't want to push it -- thus the limits on what we can lift and the need to keep our BP low.

Get a second opinion.

Is that from the open heart surgery ? I pray you’re healing

It is frightening when first diagnosed. I also had a couple in my legs which have been operated on. Hang in there and trust and follow your specialists advice. Your lifestyle changes will help your general wellbeing.

7.9 ? That's way beyond when they say it will typically rupture. Wow. Thank God they caught it! I hope you are healing or have healed well. I have heard that there is no way to shrink AAA. I have one that is 4.79 and I'm a mess. It's on my mind 24/7. I have pain in the right side of my abdomen thru to my back that is dull. Don't know if it the AAA or just my sleeping position. I've had this pain on and off for years and doctors tell me they cannot figure it out. So, I'm a bit unnerved. Ugh.

That was from the surgery in February. Still on the mend but healing great. Glad to still be here. They did a fantastic job.

I lost 15 to 20 pounds and mine shrunk from 4.8 to 4.1. However, just learned it is not stable again CT w contrast next week...

Has anyone researched red sage drops to keep aneurysm stable? A holistic MD has recommended red sage, green tea, and collagen for possibly AAA stability. I have also been taking Repatha injections to control high cholesterol for about 5 years, managed by my internal medical doctor.

At 80 yrs old with a complicated descending 5.9 mm AAA, two surgeries are recommended. One is extremely extensive. Am “caught between a rock and a hard place” as whether having surgery or not, outcomes will be “grave” (a bit of humor) due to several autoimmune issues and a lowered immune system.

Have been followed by Mayo vascular surgery dept for about 20 years. Mayo’s website is the only support group I can find in northwest FL and appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and opinions with others.