Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hi
I'm Judye. I was recently diagnosed with a 4.2 prominent ascending aorta. Of course I was terrified and didn't know what questions to ask at the time. My cardiologist said he would follow up with another CT in a year and I shouldn't worry. How can you not worry about a diagnosis like that. I had my Echo yesterday and will see the cardiologist on Nov. 9th for results from it. 

I plan to ask him if I should see a thoracic surgeon, if there is a hospital in California that has a excellent record doing this type of surgery and should I do elective surgery or wait. I feel like this is a ticking time bomb. I'm a newbe so I would appreciate advice from anyone, especially where to have the surgery and if I'm asking the right questions.
Judye Conner
Las Vegas, Nv

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Judye Conner
Retired PE Teacher
Las Vegas NV
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Judye,

I din't have your condition so I'll let others address that.  I do want to urge you to think long and hard about having "elective" open heart surgery (if there is such a thing and if you can find a doctor willing to do that) unless you're a billionaire without any concerns that your health insurer might decline to pick up the tab.  

Get a couple of opinions from competent cardiologists and thoracic surgeons if you like, but do not opt for "elective" surgery that is not medically required or recommended, as a means of dealing with your anxiety about your medical condition.

Open heart surgery is a big deal and you need to count your blessings if the doctors tell you that you don't need it now and may never need it.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Ira

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Ira Reid
Hoboken NJ
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Hi Judye,

Being diagnosed with an ascending aorta dilation is a scary diagnosis, earlier this year I was diagnosed with the same (4.5). Since then I have been monitored and had various tests.
Try to keep calm, it is essential to keep blood pressure as low as possible to relieve stress on the dilation. Your cardiologist will suggest BP reducing medicine to help.
A dilation of 4.2 is considered low risk, much lower than risks of surgery that's why your cardiologist is not suggesting surgery at this time.
Usually surgery isn't recommended until 5.0, so it maybe many years before that becomes necessary, do all the things you like doing and ever wanted to do and enjoy each day.
Take care 
Darren.

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Darren Tebbitt
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Hi Darren:
Thank you for your response to my message. I have had an opportunity to calm down, do research and reach out to people that are also on this journey so I appreciate your advice. I will follow up with my doctor and continue monitoring and praying that it never gets any larger. God is still in charge.

Thank you,
Judye Conner
Las Vegas, NV.

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Judye Conner
Retired PE Teacher
Las Vegas NV
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2021 12:52
From: Darren Tebbitt
Subject: Ascending aorta

Hi Judye,

Being diagnosed with an ascending aorta dilation is a scary diagnosis, earlier this year I was diagnosed with the same (4.5). Since then I have been monitored and had various tests.
Try to keep calm, it is essential to keep blood pressure as low as possible to relieve stress on the dilation. Your cardiologist will suggest BP reducing medicine to help.
A dilation of 4.2 is considered low risk, much lower than risks of surgery that's why your cardiologist is not suggesting surgery at this time.
Usually surgery isn't recommended until 5.0, so it maybe many years before that becomes necessary, do all the things you like doing and ever wanted to do and enjoy each day.
Take care
Darren.

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Darren Tebbitt
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Hi Judy

Wishing you all the best in your journey. I think when the time is decided by your doctors, you should definitely consider Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto,CA.  They have a world class team of cardiac surgeons and an outstanding reputation;I definitely benefitted from my stay there last year.  Let me know if you need any further info. Take care, Lisa

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Lisa Johnson
Registered nurse
CA
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Hi Lisa:
Thank you for your recommendation of Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto if needed. Lisa did you have surgery for a ascending Aorta? Was it done there? What was the recuperation if you did. I'm doing everything my cardiologist has asked in hopes that mine will not get any larger then the 4.2cm that it is now. I look forward to hearing from you.
Judye Conner

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Judye Conner
Las Vegas NV
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2021 19:16
From: Lisa Johnson
Subject: Ascending aorta

Hi Judy

Wishing you all the best in your journey. I think when the time is decided by your doctors, you should definitely consider Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto,CA.  They have a world class team of cardiac surgeons and an outstanding reputation;I definitely benefitted from my stay there last year.  Let me know if you need any further info. Take care, Lisa

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Lisa Johnson
Registered nurse
CA
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