Hi Cindy,
I think everybody here who was told they had some kind of aneurysm was at first freaked out. I know I was. I was around 60. As you will soon find out, as you hear from others in this forum –
and you will – people of all ages have found they had aneurysms. Some have had to have them repaired. Some haven't (yet, and may never need to!) Nobody can say with certainty how fast or slowly YOURS will grow.
I HIGHLY recommend you watch
this video by Dr. Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic. It goes into detail about when surgery is required. It's the best video on the subject I've seen. He explains it calmly and well.
To show you how tricky this is: I had been getting echos for around 40 years to watch my valve, which was leaky. During much of that time my ascending aorta was in the 4.0-4.2 range, based on the echos. In 2013 a cardiologist recommended I get a baseline CT for my aorta. It turns out it was around 4.5.
At that time I thought "aneurysm" meant the hose was about to burst.
That's not the case. I started getting alternating my annual echos with MRIs (as opposed to CTs, b/c of less radiation.) I also was able to find a machine that would get "close enough" measurements without contrast. (You have to ask for this; mine were done here in San Diego at Scripps.) As my aneurysm expanded, I went to 2x annual scans, alternating echo/CT. Then 4x, before we figured it was time to get serious.
In my case, in more recent years, I double-consulted with Dr. Svensson at Cleveland. After a few years of consultation, he said it was time to get MORE serious.
Here's the interesting part: In the end, while my aneurysm was about 4.9cm, it was the level of deterioration of my valve that dictated surgery. Dr. Svensson, who is widely regarded as one of the best, said
specifically that if it had been based on my aorta alone he would not have done the surgery. The important message for you is that your aorta can be nonsurgical for years. And if it's just the aorta, it may be possible to repair without actual surgery. The key is to get your annual scans.
I had my surgery a little less than two years ago at 67: Valve, root, ascending aorta, CABGx1 (single bypass.) My scar is rapidly disappearing. If it wasn't there I wouldn't know anything had been done.
Trust me when I can say: You didn't just get a death sentence. You have actually been given a new lease on life. You are among the lucky people who found it before it found you.
Cheers,
Herb
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Herb Greenberg
San Diego CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2021 19:08
From: cindy meredith
Subject: Dilation of the Ascending Aorta
Hello. A 4.2 cm dialation of my ascending aorta was found incidentally on a CT calcium scan. This was back in June. Doc sent me for an echo because he thought the CT was 'overstated' and the echo measured 3.9. I went to a cardiologist last week who said to trust the CT as Being the most accurate. I am so sad and upset over this finding. I don't have high BP (at least that has ever been noticed), I am overweight but not obese, I have high triglycerides, my calcium score was zero, no family history or connective tissue's diseases. I'm 63. The cardiologist put me on a low dose beta blocker and referred me to an aortic surgeon for follow up. cardiologist says mine is considered mild to moderate. I keep hoping someone has made a mistake and I'm a little in shock over this. Does anyone have any words of encouragement or advice? I'm having a tough time focusing on anything. I'm retired and want to enjoy my life but I'm so worried of dropping dead.
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Cindy M
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