I have a 4.8 cm ascending aorta aneurysm

I had a sudden Type A aortic dissection in 2015 that came on with absolutely no warning and very nearly killed me. One moment I was fine, the next my life was on the line. I had no idea anything was wrong with my aorta, no chance to prepare, no chance to plan. Emergency open-heart surgery and a Dacron graft are the only reason I’m still here. So when I say this, I mean it plainly and without sugarcoating it: the fact that you know about your aneurysm is a real gift. I would have given anything to have had that knowledge. Awareness changes everything. Knowing you have an aortic aneurysm in advance is like knowing the ice ahead of you is thin. You can stop, back off slowly, and avoid falling through. I didn’t have that option. My ice gave way without warning.

Because I didn’t know, my surgery happened as an emergency while I was on a business trip in San Diego instead of planned, on my terms, at home in Minneapolis with my family prepared and the right supports lined up. That difference matters more than people realize until they’ve lived it.

Watch and wait isn’t passive. It’s how you stay alive long enough to make good decisions. Blood pressure control, avoiding heavy straining and breath-holding, staying active in smart ways, and keeping up with imaging all buy you time and control. They let you live your life while staying out of danger. I’m doing great nearly 10 years out. I work, travel, exercise, and enjoy my life. There is absolutely life after aortic surgery. The trick is timing it so it’s done deliberately, not as a crisis, and so you and your family are prepared for what comes after. Peace. (Me and my 17-year daughter looking at colleges this month)

As Moonboy says you’re one of the lucky ones that found the aneurysm before it became an emergency, you can plan, monitor and have it repaired when the time and conditions are right.

In the meantime, take care of your body, eat healthy, stay active and exercise but avoid any that will require straining and holding your breath (that makes your BP spike) if you smoke please stop, you want your body at its best for when you require surgery. The better shape your body is, the higher the chances of a complete uneventful surgery and faster recovery. If you’re happy with the care you have, awesome, if not find a cardiologist who is an expert in aortic diseases, it makes a difference. Get in touch with a surgeon (the best one you can have access to, someone who has done 1000s of these in a major medical facility) so that you can start that surveillance and follow up and proper planning when time arrives. At the top of the list is monitoring and controlling your BP, high BP is the worst enemy of aneurysms.

I had a 5.2 aneurysm that was found after an MTB accident and I broke my leg. I exercised a lot and was in very good shape, had my repair surgery 2 months after my leg surgery, although the surgery is tough, I was out of the hospital in 5 days and back to work in 3 weeks. I planned, took care of all my affairs (will, etc) and prepared myself mentally for it. 6 years later I’m doing great back to full exercise and enjoying life and my family.

Wish you all the best!!!

So glad you found out before an emergency. I am grateful for this forum and experiencing slow growth at 4.0. For me, it’s not a big change except making cardio a priority, as well as yoga and watching any bp rise.
In my geography, identifying a provider with the skill. Other markets are better. Mayo in Fl. Did my testing.. out of state, but don’t worry, but keep watch… and lighter lifting.

@moonboy 🙏

I am in the same situation you, @pconkin1 and have been for a couple of years. For many people, knowing that they have aneurysm can be mentally debilitating because they feel like they have a ticking time bomb. For me, knowing the statistics on dissection rates (i.e., that the likelihood of a dissection if you are below 5.0 is less than 1%) is a comfort, especially when coupled with annual screenings and doing the right things in terms of medication, diet and exercise mentioned above.

I totally agree with Moonboy and Pittsburghdad. Knowing about it is a gift. that being said, My first few months of knowing about it didn’t feel like a gift. I also have a 4.8 Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. I discovered it after my brother died suddenly of an unexplained heart attack (no autopsy) I would strongly recommend finding a medical facility and cardiologist who has extensive experience in aortic aneurysms. A very reputable hospital here in Minnesota initially measured mine at 4.2. Given the possibility of mine being a genetic issue, I quickly went to both Mayo and Cleveland clinic and they both measured it at 4.8 and they also determined that the initial measurement was wrong. You want technicians who work with these frequently as they are not easy to measure and growth rate is a key metric to watch. It’s been 2 years now and mine is still 4.8. I’m comfortable getting it measured once a year for now because my blood pressure is good, and I have no other heart issues, and I’m doing regular cardio workouts and light weights. I don’t have any restrictions other than being careful not to lift heavy weights and to get in the habit of not holding my breath when I am lifting things. It’s second nature now. I think of it now as find an aortic expert you trust, follow their advice, and live your life. With care and monitoring this is very unlikely to dissect.

Moonboy; Thin ice; great analogy! Eighteen months ago I was diagnosed with 4.2 ATAA and a Root aneurysm 4.5cm. I am 89 and up to that point was in pretty fair shape, gym 3-4 times a week etc. following a good health regimen. There are no cardiologists in my home town in AK. But we have a winter home in Tucson and have tried to make appointments with a major Clinic in Phoenix. After 90 days, I got a text saying that an opening existed for 1 hour which I didn't see until it went to someone else a few hours later. I then went to a Tucson Heart & Vascular medical clinic that suddenly said I needed a vascular surgeon specialist and their vascular department no longer offer that specific service. Now I know that my age on paper (w/o actually observing my physical condition in person) may cause some concern with some medical facilities. Has anyone else experienced this kind of apparent selectivity among older patients? Or am I just experiencing a phase of bad luck?

You might try for a second opinion virtual visit with Cleveland Clinic. I used it for peace of mind for my aortic aneurysms, and my wife just used it last week to help her decide the best option for a major orthopedic surgery where she was getting conflicting advice from two different surgeons. I ended up going for an in-person visit there, and my wife was able to get her questions completely answered from their written report for her.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/online-services/virtual-second-opinions

@dew88 kind of same situation.4.6 and and think I’m in pretty good shape.Also a gym goer and walker.Seeing my cardiologist in 2 weeks .Everything I’ve read is not encouraging for our age group.Kind of depressing.87yrs here.