aortic aneurysm

[Tedthedog]

just got diagnosed with a aortic aneurysms with 2 blocked arteries would like to hear from anyone with simlar and their experience

[Hidden]

Sounds like you’re ripe for a double bypass (CAGB x 2 using tech terms), if they can’t be scented. Bypass is pretty much the ‘routine procedures’ for surgeons, by that, as routine is OHS is. I saw a few Bypass patients go down at 8:15 ish in the morning, and were back sitting up in a chair by about 8pm that night. OHS does love to get you setting up asap - apparently this really helps recovery.

I hope you get away with stents, but if not, as bad as OHS sounds, it is proven surgery and the staff really do know their stuff.

[JulianM]

Where is the aneurysm? And what measurement have you been given? If it's in the root or ascending aorta, and if it's over a certain size, it might mean having an operation on it at the same time as the blocked arteries. However, if it is in the descending aorta or abdominal aorta, it's a different set of options and may be different surgeons too. In any event, it's good to know and to be able to discuss this with your doctors.

[Tedthedog in reply to JulianM]

Hi JulianI have a aortic aneurysms and its 4.4cm.

How big is yours?

I’m in shock. Have you changed your life style because of it?

Ellen

[JulianM in reply to Tedthedog]

Hi Ellen - mine was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago, when I was 59, at 4.5 - 4.6 cm, it's most recently been 4.7-4.8cm, it's in the ascending aorta and my cardiologist is convinced it's basically genetic. However, genetic testing hasn't shown any of the known high risk markers.

Location is important: aortic aneurysms lower down (descending aorta, abdominal aorta) are a different disease condition with different genetics and risk factors.

I'm on very low dose irbesartan, which can be used to reduce blood pressure, but is prescribed to me on the basis that there could be a protective effect for the aorta.

I monitor my blood pressure closely and agree with Cliff that 120/80 should be maximum for resting measurements (though I'm sure mine goes higher at some times, during exercise; my real goal is to keep systolic below 200 at all times).

I've had to avoid any heavy lifting and having been told to avoid competitive sports had to withdraw from that, too. However, I was diagnosed by sports cardiologists and they strongly emphasised the value of continuing to exercise, so I still swim, bike and run. But I do have limits to how intensely I train ...

[Tedthedog in reply to JulianM]

Thanks Julian

Good to hear your aneurysm is slow growing.

How often do the hospital scan you and measure it?

You sound like you have a good understanding of your condition and have things under control.

Good point about blood pressure

I’ve order a blood pressure machine .

Ellen

[JulianM in reply to Tedthedog]

I'm now on annual check-ups; I've had CTs, MRIs, and transthoracic echos. The MRIs - which we're aiming to do every two years - are the best guide for me at present. They avoid radiation exposure and can give detailed and impressive images and my consultant is expert at reading them. But if I had a serious concern about a possible dissection or if a surgeon wanted one ahead of an operation, I'd have another CT without hesitation.

[JulianM in reply to JulianM]

I also strongly agree with home monitoring of BP. At an early stage, I did a 24-hour monitoring exercise using equipment lent to me by a researcher; my home monitoring is definitely more accurate than any readings taken by doctors/nurses in clinics: I do have 'white coat syndrome' which usually sends those ones way too high.

[Tedthedog in reply to JulianM]

Thanks JulianAll the info has been really helpful.

[Cliff_G]

Hi Tedthedog, have your doctors told you what they need to do - CABG? Stents? And would they tackle the aneurysm too? And if so, when is this planned?

Yes, I'm sure it's a shock for you, but with good care and monitoring you and your doctors should be able to manage things safely. The most important thing I can advise you to do in conjunction with your doctors, is to get your blood pressure properly under control. By this I mean 120/80, and quickly, NOT the NICE guidelines of 135-140/90 and via many stages of trying this and that over many months. Whilst your blocked (coronary I presume) arteries are in need of attention, the aneurysm is also a risk, and I would say they are of roughly equal importance.

For the aneurysm, it's important to get a proper scan, not just an echo, but a CT or MRI of the whole aorta. You haven't said whether the aneurysm is in the ascending or descending or abdominal, you need to ask your doctors which is the case, as it affects what treatment you would need / would be possible.

One thing I advise everyone with an aneurysm is to wear a medical alert bracelet - if things were to start happening suddenly, it's very important that paramedics and the A&E know you have an aortic risk. I had an enlarged aorta a little greater than yours and it eventually dissected, but I initially got treated as a heart attack (unfortunately common, as telling between them is difficult without an immediate CT scan). I actually completely forgot to tell them about my aorta, and whilst I got through it, things would have been a lot better had my aortic risk been communicated immediately.

[Tedthedog in reply to Cliff_G]

Thanks for the advice. I had an CT coronary angiography and now waiting a MIBI (stress test)

Did you have your aneurysm repaired?

[Cliff_G in reply to Tedthedog]

Yes, my aneurysm dissected (the inner layer splits) but I had a repair of my ascending, arch and start of descending, as an emergency operation.

CT coronary angiography won't necessarily view the whole aorta, how did they tell you had an aneurysm?

[Cliff_G]

I'd also refer you to the Think Aorta web site, in particular the patient leaflet (pdf download) thinkaorta.net/_files/ugd/e...

[Tedthedog]

Thanks CliffThey told me after the CT coronary angiography but I had other tests too prior to that.

My mother died suddenly of an aneurysm in the brain years ago

Thanks for the link to Think Aorta

Ellen

[Cliff_G in reply to Tedthedog]

If they saw the aneurysm on the heart CT, it's probably an ascending aortic aneurysm? (not to be confused with AAA, abdominal aortic aneurysm - as Julian says, they are different disease mechanisms).

[Tedthedog in reply to Cliff_G]

Your right Cliff it is ascending..Have you ever had a MIBI (stress test)?

[Cliff_G in reply to Tedthedog]

No, not had a MIBI test, my heart is actually in remarkable condition, considering, says my Cardio.

[Coper10]

I was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm aged 52. It was 5.8cm so I had to have urgent surgery. I am now 17 months on from my operation - having had a replacement aortic valve, root and ascending aorta. I am on warfarin, having had a mechanical valve. I had excellent care from my surgeon and cardiac team. Recovery was slow initially (not surprising with the nature of the operation) but I feel I’ve made steady progress and am working, being there for my children and exercising regularly. Getting such news is scary and daunting. However, cardiac teams are used to managing/treating aneurysms and the support this forum provides is invaluable. You are not alone.

[Tedthedog]

Thank you its all very scary and nerve racking to begin with