1. < Aortic Aneurysms

What makes ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms increase in size?

Posted by wonderwoman1121 @wonderwoman1121, Jan 19 7:16pm

I am a 68 year old woman, who considers myself in relatively good shape and health until I was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 months ago. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and now I am on medication which increases cholesterol, causes joint pain, and osteoporosis. In June 2024, I had a CT Scan with contrast due to the cancer and that was fine but I found out I had a 4.1 ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm, which caused me to freak out. My cardiologist had no concern, so I saw a Thoracic Surgeon who said since I’m short, surgery would be needed if it reached 4.5. Typically, they recheck in a year but since I was nervous I just had a CT Scan on 1/17/2025 w/o contrast. I just received the results today, is it really beneficial so see results populating in your portal before you speak to the doctor, not…. anyway… it is now 4.3 so it grew in 7 months. I retired to relieve stress, do Pilates, use my elliptical, increased my BP to 100 mg, I occasionally have a glass of wine or Cosmo at dinner once a week. I don’t have a good feeling about this and I’m trying to be positive but I’m really struggling today.

Are there any statics on how often aneurysms increase in size compared to no change? Are there any statistics on how many people who have surgery survive the surgery but die from complications, or life span after surgery.

I always look for a solution and not one to give up but not being able to fix this is making me crazy.

Also, it seems doctors have a cavalier approach because there really isn’t anything they can do, basically the odds are 50/50…maybe.

Any inspirational hope from anyone?

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

marylou78 | @marylou78 | Feb 4 12:55pm

Odds are way better than 50/50. They operate as soon as the risk for surgery is less than the risk of rupture/dissection. Realistically I think the odds of surviving both the aneurysm and surgery are around 95%. I understand your frustration though with how nonchalant Dr's seem about this though

REPLY
marylou78 | @marylou78 | Feb 4 12:58pm
In reply to @donnawhite "I am 77 years old and have lived with an aortic theoretic aneurysm since 2019. When..." + (show)
@donnawhite

I am 77 years old and have lived with an aortic theoretic aneurysm since 2019. When first discovered it was 3.6 c.
It has been slowly growing since then. It grew about 2mm every six months. When it got to 5.5 My doctor suggested surgery. However, the possibility of stroke, paralysis, or death, was higher than I wanted to risk. So, I got a second opinion. First doctor was in San Fransico, then I flew to Cleavland to the world-famous clinic there.
The doctor there said at my age he suggested no surgery, just go live your life. My aneurysm was 5.5 then. That was about a year and half ago. Since then, it has grown to 6.3. I am feeling lots of chest and back pain, but I can live with this. I am living more carefully, meaning I am not playing my sports, and don't lift heavy things. I am a 5'3" woman, who has been very active all my life. I am ready to go see my Lord, when He takes me. I have had a good life. My doctor thinks I have from 3 to 6 months left. I have written letters to all 11grandchildren, and my 4 children. I paid for my funeral and feel very lucky to be able to get everything in order.

Jump to this post

I don't even know how to respond to this. I am 46 and I feel so bitter sometimes that I am going through this at this point in my life. I know the truth is we can all go at any time for any reason, but I admire your outlook so much! God bless.

REPLY
hsminc | @hsminc | Feb 4 3:58pm

First, are you being seen by a thoracic surgeon at a center that does a high volume of ascending aortic aneurysm repairs? If yes, I would meet with that surgeon and ask what factors may have caused the increase - if it truly is an increase. Were measurements done on the same CT or different CT scanners? Was contrast used?
You are looking at millimeter increases. Look at your ruler and see how small that is and how difficult it might be for a reader to be absolutely accurate.
You might also ask to see a vascular specialist and request a PET scan to see if there is any vasculitis in the aortic walls. That will give you some idea about risk. Possibly the treatments that you had are causing the issue - again, if there is an increase.

REPLY
1 reply
wonderwoman1121 | @wonderwoman1121 | Feb 5 7:15am
In reply to @hsminc "First, are you being seen by a thoracic surgeon at a center that does a high..." + (show)
@hsminc

First, are you being seen by a thoracic surgeon at a center that does a high volume of ascending aortic aneurysm repairs? If yes, I would meet with that surgeon and ask what factors may have caused the increase - if it truly is an increase. Were measurements done on the same CT or different CT scanners? Was contrast used?
You are looking at millimeter increases. Look at your ruler and see how small that is and how difficult it might be for a reader to be absolutely accurate.
You might also ask to see a vascular specialist and request a PET scan to see if there is any vasculitis in the aortic walls. That will give you some idea about risk. Possibly the treatments that you had are causing the issue - again, if there is an increase.

Jump to this post

Good morning, Those are all good questions. I have an appointment on 2/18 with my thoracic surgeon so I plan to have a list of questions. We’ll see. Thank yoy

REPLY
staceyc25@staceyc25 | @staceyc25 | Feb 6 7:50am
In reply to @pamela78 "I admire your courage and your wisdom. You deserve a ton of credit for the gratitude..." + (show)
@pamela78

I admire your courage and your wisdom. You deserve a ton of credit for the gratitude you feel for the life you've had. I send you the best wishes I can. If you feel a wobble, you can always bring it here.

Jump to this post

I too admire your courage and wisdom, and your story will continue to inspire me through the coming years however long that may be🙏☺️

REPLY
staceyc25@staceyc25 | @staceyc25 | Feb 6 7:55am

I would just say to trust your gut and believe in what your body is saying. That has always worked best for me..☺️

REPLY
rlhix | @rlhix | Feb 6 9:11am

While not the cause of aneurysms, things that can effect growth of an ascending aortic aneurysm include moderate to severe sleep apnea and blood pressure. Those things have to be managed before surgery and after surgery. Coping with stress, both physical and other is also important.

REPLY
eosow55 | @eosow55 | Feb 21 3:23pm

I am at 5.0 cm with no growth in 3 years, 70 years old and healthy. Doc is pushing for surgery now, and at 5.7 cm I will definitely do the surgery.

REPLY
1 reply
eosow55 | @eosow55 | Feb 21 3:25pm
In reply to @eosow55 "I am at 5.0 cm with no growth in 3 years, 70 years old and healthy...." + (show)
@eosow55

I am at 5.0 cm with no growth in 3 years, 70 years old and healthy. Doc is pushing for surgery now, and at 5.7 cm I will definitely do the surgery.

Jump to this post

Oh, no one seems to know the cause. I have low bp, not overweight, never smoked, low cholesterol, I may have had stressful jobs. I played basketball for 40 years, could be the jumping but do not have Marfan’s.

REPLY
donnawhite | @donnawhite | 5 days ago

I have been watching my aneurysm for 5 years. It is theoretic aortic descending aneurysm , It started at 3.6 and grew about 2mm every 6 months. It got to 5.5 and they wanted to do surgery. But at 77 years old, I decided I did not want to have surgery. Be sure you find a surgeon you trust. Then follow their lead. Good luck. Sometimes they do stop growing.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.