Newly diagnosed at 46 mm ascending aorta dilation (aneurysm)

OK relax. It’s going to be OK. You know you’ve got a problem and now you’ve got tools to deal with it. You’re also in Charlotte, which is a major medical center along the coast. You’ve got lots of options and you’re going to be fine. At 4.6 cm you’re not a candidate for surgery yet. You are the luckiest person in Charlotte because you discovered it early. Trust me, I discovered my aortic aneurysm by having it dissect on a business trip in San Diego in 2015. That is a nightmare and you are not going to suffer it because you know and you’re going to be smart about Your life between now and the time you have to have surgery. Reduce your blood pressure, no smoking, no drinking, and no heavy lifting or extreme exercise. I have been living with an artificial aorta for 10 years just fine. Your doctor is going to tell you what the plan is And you’re going to listen to that thoracic surgeon. I know it seems overwhelming, but once you know, you’ve got a problem you can fix it before you have an emergency that could be much worse. So here’s my advice: take a deep breath. Keep your blood pressure down. Get good rest. Recognize just how lucky you are that you know you’ve got a problem because now you can fix it before it becomes a disaster. Peace and feel free to email me directly Off-line if you want to talk more. I did not have this resource when I was sick in 2015 and made all the difference for me.

I tried to post another question, but it wouldn't let me.
Do they Stent AAA ever ?
I've seen conflicting info on this. It probably depends on the aaa and your Dr skill. But just really wonder if it's an option, or is it a cut your chest open only option ?

I meant TAA. Ascending Aorta

@moonboy - thank you for your post. Very encouraging to know. I also have just discovered 4.3cm dilation on ascending aorta and have been surfing the web looking for answers. Did you smoke or have family history? As I was reading about dissection or rupture outcomes , happy you made it full recovery and continue with life. Did you make any life style changes after being sick? Thank you
@ronludington - this was a great advice and words of wisdom from moonboy. I lost my mom to a stroke close to two years ago, she had high blood pressure and I wish I took her for a scan 😭 but in general she didn’t like any doctors and treated it on her own natural remedies . I was so unaware of how fatal high blood pressure can be and was not educated at all on heart/brain health. I wish I could return the time and force her to go to the doctor. Anyway, after loosing her and time passed by i was very alarmed and signed myself and my husband for lung and heart scan . Husband is solid as a rock and i came out with nodule on upper long and 4.3cm dilated ascending aorta. We are the lucky ones to discover it early and watch it now with proper care. Ugh 😣 im so upset about it and from what im reading it can’t shrink back on its own. Im also in Raleigh and belong to novant, so need to schedule a consultation with cardiologist asap. They do stents , my coworker just had it done (not sure details and if it was the same thing as she is still on FMLA) but they don’t do open chest surgery until you are 5.5 cm

With what little research I've done, they don't do stents on assending unless special circumstance. Not sure what those are. But I would sure like to be able to get one. I also had high blood pressure but was unaware of what it could do. My dad was a vitamin naturalist , so I have tried every naturall way there is, but didn't help. (Same for my diabetes) seems like my pressures were always in the 180 range probably higher if I was moving around. I know one time I went to donate blood and they wouldn't let me because I was to high. This morning first thing I was 72/120 hb of 65. But it will clime a bit through the day, last night it was 80/135 hb of 99. I think my verapamil wears off and I could use a higher dose.

Think of an aneurysm like a huge bulge in the sidewall of an car tire. There's no amount of wishing and hoping and vitamins or lower blood pressure that's going to unstretch/shrink the aortic wall once it has been stretched. Once the aorta starts to bulge only one of three things can happen: it can stabilize (not usually), bulge larger (usually), or burst (eventually). Regular CT scans are to monitor for the progression of enlargement of the aneurysm. Surgery is there to repair the aneurysm before it dissects suddenly.

Think of it this way: If you saw a huge bulge in a water main, would you ignore it hoping it won't burst or call the water company to come fix it immediately? Now image that water main is buried deep in a cage underground. It will take time to open things up and make the repairs. It's going to suck to be without water during the repairs, but it is a lot better that waiting for it to burst and then trying to fix it. Once it bursts, the damage is done. Peace.

Well sir, in my case it's a waiting game until it hits whatever magic number they come up with for me. Can't see the surgeon till November, unless I find someone new... but this one does stents on assending, so I'm inclined to wait. (And hope I fall into her criterea) other than that, it's a what can I do to remove any added stress to that bulge... or just go about my normal life and see what it does on the second look.
I can see the ct, but have no clue as to what imlooking at. Sure doesn't look like pictures on the net.

You're gonna be just fine. You're at 4.6 cm and generally speaking you're not gonna be a candidate for surgery until it gets to 5.0 cm. In the meantime, you're doing the right thing by trying to reduce your stress, lower your blood pressure, and no super strenuous physical exertion like picking up 50 pound bags of rocks in the backyard. Anything which requires you to grunt to exert yourself is a bad idea right now. But you're gonna be just fine because you know that you've got a problem and you are addressing it. Everyone out here is rooting for you and I promise you that there is life, lots of it, after this kind of surgery. Peace and be well.