Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Aortic Aneurism Repair

    Posted 09-13-2019 20:50
    Hi to all, 

    My name is Andrea (Andie). Seven months ago ( January 2019)I had a repair to my thoracic aortic aneurysm.  The only symptom I had was moderate high blood pressure. My primary care physician was a blessing. He suggested a stress test and echocardiogram for some muscular pain, just to be careful. We watched the aneurysm for 2 and a half years. It was found at 4 cm and was 5-6 at the time of surgery. The surgeon said afterwards it was bigger than he thought once he opened me up.

    it is about 7 months later. Open Heart Surgery was a shock to my system, and I needed help with dressing, etc, at first.
    i started walking right away. When I was approved for rehab I started and worked hard. The people in the cardiac rehab center were so nice and helpful. It encouraged me to see all the heart patients working out. I completed my 36 weeks, and they gave me a certificate of completion and a t-shirt and clapping from everyone in the gym. It was so worth it!!!
    I continue to work out at my local gym and feel stronger than ever.

    My cardiologist suggested I talk to family members about being tested. Out of three siblings, one of them had an aneurysm in the same place at 4 cm.  He is now being monitored. I feel so blessed that my brother and I knew about the aneurysms before they split.

    Thanks for your listening ears! Stay in good health!

    Andie


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    Andrea Broding
    School Psychologist Retired
    Santee CA
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  • 2.  RE: Aortic Aneurism Repair

    Posted 09-14-2019 13:49
    Hi Andie,
    Welcome to Mended Hearts! We had open heart surgery almost the exact same time. Mine was on February 8 of this year. And I too just graduated from cardiac rehab. It was a wonderful experience for me as well. Of course, not at first. I never did that kind of exercise because I had no idea that I had a large hole in my heart since birth. I was miss diagnosed in my 20s with exercise induced asthma when I found out I had a very large hole in my heart in January after a mild heart attack. 

    I am now going to our local YMCA and I also feel better than ever before!  I love this excuse to take even better care of myself. I was always healthy and that's probably why I'm was still alive with a hole in my heart at 48 years old! It's great to find other people who are going through the same things. That's why I love this forum. Although I am in Lexington, Kentucky, used to live in Los Angeles, California. I enjoyed California so much so please say hello to those beautiful skies from me! All the best to you and keep in touch...❤️

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    Jill Farfan
    architect
    Lexington KY
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  • 3.  RE: Aortic Aneurism Repair

    Posted 10-11-2019 01:43
    I was offered a Cancer Check after smoking for 30 years, no cancer was found, but the aneurism was found which led to more
    tests and just had a Quad bypass on Aug 14...I am 2 months post op, feeling better, doing good in rehab, and really grateful
    they found this before it blew up in me.  
    Thanks to everyone in the Community...

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    mary hedtke
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