New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified

When it was discovered, I was told it was an "enlarged aortic root". Then later yearly imaging it measured 4.6 and gradually creeped up to a 5. I was almost dismissed at first as it got to be 4.9. My doctor said it was no longer the size that mattered but the trajectory of growth. Since I also had a bicuspid valve and people "can live forever with those". So, I went on with my life. I ran, pushed cars thru intersections, lifted, and without precautions. I also had persistent A fib with rates of 130-140. I see a lot of comments on this site warning against all of this.
It wasn't until my aortic valve got sclerotic and I was short of breath and had to sleep sitting up that surgery was offered.
My daughter has the same bicuspid valve but hers is still working just fine. She goes to a very prestigious doctor - in another State-who is monitoring her aneurysm only, and it now measures 5 cm. She is also 52 yrs old. They are waiting for the valve to go bad before surgery. The explanation is to do both repairs with one surgery. I admit, I am more concerned for her growing aneurysm than I was for my own.
I trust you are educating yourself about the causes and contributing factors. Stay alert and informed in the cardiology world. But don't let it scare you. We are fortunate to live in America where we have excellent medical care so readily available. Choose a good cardiology group and trust them. Life your life. Our bodies are tougher than we might think. I send you good vibs.

You will get past this stage by not dwelling on it. It is certainly ok to be a bit freaky at first. Some of these do, indeed, rupture, but most do not. We live in a country with great medical care that is available to most of us. Imaging is so much more efficient than it used to be so they find aneurysms as they did yours- incidentally. Doctors who specialize in cardiology have a LONG residency with excellent tools in 2024. We don't like the non-chalant approach but need to understand they know more about the Aorta than the rest of us.
I am not suggesting you dismiss your feelings. No. You didn't cause this and you can't call the shots either. Just choose your medical providers well and then trust them. You will relax when you do.

In 2010 I was 61 years old. It was closer to 4 cm than to 5 cm.

Hi there I’m glad to hear that your husbands aneurysm was caught and that it has not grown. Can you clarify the size his was on discovery? You mention 4.3 cm but then said that it is currently 4.8 cm? I guess he will continued to just be monitored annually? I wonder if they ever reach a point where they will stop monitoring? I just discovered I have a 3.9 cm ascending aorta on a ct scan for something else a few weeks ago. I just turned 52 years old. A couple things that have me wondering what mine is doing is 1. In 2022 I had a coronary calcium score ct scan and that report said “no aneurysm” 2. Two months later still 2022, I had an echocardiogram that said ascending aorta 3.74 cm. Cardiologist didn’t even mention it I only read that on the written report. So currently im trying to come to grips that watching and worrying about this thing is in my future now and also trying to figure out how long this has been present, and is it stable or growing. Thank you and wishing you and your husband good health!

My mom is also 5ft 1. She has a dialated ascending aorta of 4.1 that was discovered in 2020. She has been monitored and hers is stable at 4.1 and has not grown. She is 75 years old now. There is a calculator on line that calculates the upper limit of normal by age as
Diameter = Age x .16 + 31
For my mom that would mean 43mm or 4.3 cm is the upper limit of normal for her. Her cardiologist said this aneurysm is not on his list of things to worry about at her age. She is 5 ft 1. Exercises an hour each day (cycling, walking) she is a healthy weight. She is trying to control her high cholesterol (hereditary) and slight elevated blood pressure. (Sometimes it’s normal sometimes mildly elevated. Dr. Put her on a child size dose of metoprolol which seems to be helping) there are also charts online that quantify risk of rupture based on height and stature. The consensus is that you are correct, height and stature should factor in to accessing what size to operate. I am 52 and 5 ft 5 and just found out about my own dialated ascending aorta of 3.9 cm a few weeks ago. My sister is 53 and found out about her ascending aorta at 4.3 cm last December. My mother’s father died of a ruptured brain aneurysm at 65 years old. He had a stroke 10 years prior. No one else on either side of my family has aneurysms to our knowledge and my mom has four brothers and her mother who is 97 years old and doing well. Does this constitute a family history? I have no idea.. still trying to figure all this out for my family. Wishing you good health!

My husband’s aneurysm was 4.3 in 2007 - he was 61 yrs old.
In January 2021, his long time Mayo cardiologist retired and the new one ordered an echo. They saw a 4.8 aneurysm on the echo and CT angiogram.
It has remained stable/unchanged - last CT angio was May 2024.
My husband had never been afraid of hard physical work - lifting ungodly heavy stuff around tbe house, boat, etc.. He doesn’t do that anymore!
His first cousin (same age, healthy) also had an undiagnosed ascending aortic aneurysm which dissected. His cousin now has a descending aortic aneurysm and an abdominal one too. The cousin’s father died of something that ruptured in his chest!?!? My husband’s mother had giant cell arteritis, which is related.
Hope this is helpful!

Yes it is helpful to just hear other people’s experiences with them over time! I’m new to this watchful waiting and I’m struggling a bit to accept and cope with the circumstances at hand. I’m glad to hear your husband is stable and hope that remains the case forever. Wishing you good health!

Acceptance IS a struggle but knowledge and this group are so helpful. I've learned more here than anywhere else and the information is related to very real people. Good luck and joyful living!

Understandable that your worried but it should be fine for a while. About four years ago I was diagnosed with Ascending Aortic Aneurism at 4.3 and with annual scan it is now at 5cm. I was also diagnosed with a tumor on the pituitary gland and had brain surgery. I go get my next scan in January so we will see what that shows. I try to do no lifting and no strenuous activities, but sometimes can't help it. We also live on the second floor and so i go up and down stair too many times a day for my liking. But the only problems I have is chest pains and shortness of breath for a couple of years now.

Hey, I feel exactly as you do! I had heart scan and was told I had an celiac abdominal dissection. Everything you said..ditto. about doctor too. Just telling me I'll be given another scan in 6 months. I have a huge bulge around bottom of my breast with some pain on right side. Have back pain all the time due to injuries. So...I am afraid it tearing and possibly leaking. I'm 73 and feel like I've been throwed away by my doctor. Everything I read says to get a ultrasound scan to see what I have and get immediately treatment. Why hasn't my doctor requested this? I'm scared too.