1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Has anyone ever shrunk an Aneurysm?

Posted by tripleaaa @tripleaaa, Apr 30, 2024

On 2/5/24 I took myself to the ER for ongoing sharp back pain (waited all day). The CT scan revealed a AAA at 7.9 on the verge of rupturing, plus 2 others. The next largest one is a 5.4 Ascending. I’m still recovering from the first life saving surgery and I was wondering in anyone has any information on shrinking an Aneurysm naturally.

I’m 51, in good shape and never smoked however I chewed tobacco or used nicotine pouches for 30 years (up until the surgery). My next scan is September. I’ve tried researching this topic but there is no information and no one says you can’t shrink it holistically but they also don’t offer any other information.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

moonboy | @moonboy | May 6 5:22pm

Hey Karl. First off, respect—that’s a solid blood pressure, and dropping 31 pounds is no small thing. You’re clearly putting in the work, and at 4.8 cm, every little bit helps when it comes to reducing stress on your aorta.

I had a Type A dissection back in 2015 and needed emergency open-heart surgery with a Dacron graft. So yeah, I take this seriously and I get where you're coming from. After my surgery, I went deep into learning what helps and what doesn’t. Here's the deal: there’s really no supplement or herb that’s been proven to shrink an aneurysm. I’ve heard people talk about turmeric, hawthorn, nattokinase, magnesium, etc.—and while some of those might support general vascular health, none of them are a magic bullet.

The big three are: keep blood pressure low (you’re already nailing that), avoid big blood pressure spikes (like heavy lifting, straining, or holding your breath), and get regular imaging to track size. Also, hydration matters more than people think. Dehydration can cause subtle spikes in blood pressure that fly under the radar.

I take meds now, and I’m okay with that. I’ve learned not to fight the tools that help me stay alive. But lifestyle? That’s huge too—and you’re doing a lot right. Keep walking, stay steady with the low-carb plan if it’s working for you, and just be cautious about anyone promising that an aneurysm can shrink with supplements alone. If it were that simple, none of us would be here. You’re on the right track. Keep at it. Peace.

REPLY
1 reply
msturcken | @msturcken | 5 days ago
In reply to @tripleaaa "Thanks. I wasn’t given much to go on, just the standard, don’t lift more than 30..." + (show)
@tripleaaa

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.

Jump to this post

Your stitches look awful. It looks so invasive and horrible to recover from. I am so sorry . Was this open heart surgery or abdominal. I hope your recovery is going well!!

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1 reply
tripleaaa | @tripleaaa | 5 days ago
In reply to @msturcken "Your stitches look awful. It looks so invasive and horrible to recover from. I am so..." + (show)
@msturcken

Your stitches look awful. It looks so invasive and horrible to recover from. I am so sorry . Was this open heart surgery or abdominal. I hope your recovery is going well!!

Jump to this post

That was the AAA. I had a bleed by my heart so they had to open me a second time. That was Feb 2024. In Oct I had an ascending Aorta repaired through open heart and got a fresh batch of scars. Time heals all, one way or another. 🤣

REPLY
1 reply
msturcken | @msturcken | 5 days ago
In reply to @tripleaaa "That was the AAA. I had a bleed by my heart so they had to open..." + (show)
@tripleaaa

That was the AAA. I had a bleed by my heart so they had to open me a second time. That was Feb 2024. In Oct I had an ascending Aorta repaired through open heart and got a fresh batch of scars. Time heals all, one way or another. 🤣

Jump to this post

Oh I am so sorry you had to go through all that. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm . It was 4.1 last June. I am hoping thus June it has not grown.
It was discovered when I had a CT scan of my lungs because I used to smoke. If I hadn’t had that I would have never known. My cardiologist put me on crestor and a baby aspirin.
I hope I don’t have to have open heart surgery. I am so sorry.
I am hoping that by the time I need surgery they will have developed a less invasive way to repair the heart.
I hope you are healing well and can go on with your life knowing now that you have many years to enjoy life!!

REPLY
1 reply
tripleaaa | @tripleaaa | 4 days ago
In reply to @msturcken "Oh I am so sorry you had to go through all that. I have an ascending..." + (show)
@msturcken

Oh I am so sorry you had to go through all that. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm . It was 4.1 last June. I am hoping thus June it has not grown.
It was discovered when I had a CT scan of my lungs because I used to smoke. If I hadn’t had that I would have never known. My cardiologist put me on crestor and a baby aspirin.
I hope I don’t have to have open heart surgery. I am so sorry.
I am hoping that by the time I need surgery they will have developed a less invasive way to repair the heart.
I hope you are healing well and can go on with your life knowing now that you have many years to enjoy life!!

Jump to this post

I’m glad they discovered it and told you about it. I have a 3rd aneurysm that was re-scanned a few months ago. “Fusiform dilatation of the infrarenal aorta, measuring up to 4.3 x 4.2 cm, minimally increased compared to 4.2 x 3.9 cm previously”
I’ve actually forgotten about it. There’s a good chance you and I may never have to address these and if we do, we’ll be fine. Wish you all the best!

REPLY
karlhawaii | @karlhawaii | 2 hours ago
In reply to @moonboy "Hey Karl. First off, respect—that’s a solid blood pressure, and dropping 31 pounds is no small..." + (show)
@moonboy

Hey Karl. First off, respect—that’s a solid blood pressure, and dropping 31 pounds is no small thing. You’re clearly putting in the work, and at 4.8 cm, every little bit helps when it comes to reducing stress on your aorta.

I had a Type A dissection back in 2015 and needed emergency open-heart surgery with a Dacron graft. So yeah, I take this seriously and I get where you're coming from. After my surgery, I went deep into learning what helps and what doesn’t. Here's the deal: there’s really no supplement or herb that’s been proven to shrink an aneurysm. I’ve heard people talk about turmeric, hawthorn, nattokinase, magnesium, etc.—and while some of those might support general vascular health, none of them are a magic bullet.

The big three are: keep blood pressure low (you’re already nailing that), avoid big blood pressure spikes (like heavy lifting, straining, or holding your breath), and get regular imaging to track size. Also, hydration matters more than people think. Dehydration can cause subtle spikes in blood pressure that fly under the radar.

I take meds now, and I’m okay with that. I’ve learned not to fight the tools that help me stay alive. But lifestyle? That’s huge too—and you’re doing a lot right. Keep walking, stay steady with the low-carb plan if it’s working for you, and just be cautious about anyone promising that an aneurysm can shrink with supplements alone. If it were that simple, none of us would be here. You’re on the right track. Keep at it. Peace.

Jump to this post

Aloha Moonboy,
Thank you very much for your response. I found it helpful and reassuring. Besides losing weight I also currently take turmeric, natto and magnesium. I appreciate you mentioning water. After reading your response I realized that in trying to lose weight I have cut back on my water. I have now corrected that and I am grateful.

Mahalo (Thank you in Hawaiian),
Karl

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