Try to make sence of what consultant is telling me went to see him with supected angina and was told I had enlarged aorta 4.2cm nothing to worry about doesn’t need to see me, I was stunned and didn’t know what questions to ask googled and everywhere said aneurysm and that some consultants use this term my gp didn’t understand wrote to him for clarification, letter said borderline normal minor enlarged aorta my aorta being 4cm assume .2 is the bulge I saw on ct which was very noticeable any ideas gratefully received
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lynisa48
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Hi I just read your post and was curious. So done an investigation this is what I found,An enlarged abdominal aorta is typically greater than 3.0 centimeters. Overall, when an aneurysm grows to 5.5 cm in men and 5 cm in women, these tend to be the sizes where surgery is actively considered. Until then, regular monitoring, also known as “watchful waiting,” is the typical protocol.
Maybe that's why the consultant said he would not need to see you, but you need to know how,what,why and whom does this "watchful waiting" maybe your GP can help. I'm not a professional so please get advice. Please if you get an answer let me know I'm very curious.❤
yes agree but still enlarged aorta is showing as aneurysm and he keeps saying not discharged to care of go who is as confused as me he wrote to consultant got same reply as me only advise keep blood pressure low my average is 117/70
Hi. Ask if they'll be giving you regular CT or MRI scans to check on aorta growth. It's usual to keep it controlled by medication. The BP to keep it at, I was told after my aortic dissection, is 120/80 or under, so your BP is good for that. I was a week in ICU, then a week in a normal cardiac ward before being discharged. I still have CT scans with contrast yearly to watch my aorta.
My aorta was found to be 6.6, which at the time I was told was right in the sweet spot for it to be repaired.Otherwise they would have just monitored it until it was in the sweet spot.
If you need a valve depending on your age etc they give you a few options. Mine was mechanical or biological, I went for the mechanical as it lasts longer and should last my lifetime.I think I was in for 8 nights, but could have been out a bit earlier but my INR level was not behaving, they put me on warfarin due to mechanical valve.
How long is recovery? How long is a piece of string 😁
We are all different and therefore have different recovery paths, but it's often suggested a minimum of 3 months.
Thing is to take it easy and build up your fitness slowly.
Hi, my ascending aorta is 3.9cm. I haven't been referred to a consultant, but had a phone consultation with a GP with a specialist in cardiology. I've been told it's not an aneurysm, but an enlargement at that size, to keep BP low, mine is around 110/65 with beta blockers , and to avoid heavy weights. I have a scan every 18 months, which is requested by my usual GP.
thank you for your replied my issue is not having an aneurysm it’s consultant saying over and over it’s enlarged aorta not an aneurysm when everything I read says aneurysm and at 4.2. needs to be monitored I will get a second opinion as this is causing me stress as it’s not making sense to me
All men in England over 65 should be sent an appointment for an Aortic Anyeursm scan, I went for mine several years ago and it was 3.6 I have been scanned every year since they will keep an eye on you.
I think you will find it's a case of potahto/potato, it's the same thing whatever you call it - an aneurism is a bulging blood vessel, the aorta is a type of blood vessel called an artery
the point is that the consultant classes this one as not needing surgery (they have guidelines they have to follow), but that it should be monitored by your GP - if your GP does not understand they need to find out for themselves then explain to you
Hi Iynisa, think word aneurysm is often used quite loosely including covering an enlarged aorta . The risk with enlarged aorta is that if it gets too large you can get an aortic dissection (not good) and the risk increases with how large the aorta gets . Under NICE guidelines my understanding is that doctors don’t generally consider operating to fix it until the aorta reaches 55 mm, 50 mm if you are bicuspid valve (like me) or 45mm if you have Marfans a genetic condition but if there is a family history of dissection or other heart issues may consider operating earlier. At 42 mm my understanding (from the what my cardiologist has told me) is that usually you should just be monitored(watchful waiting) which is consistent with what you were toldI would however go back and make sure you are followed up. Also talk to doctor about exercise.. I am allowed to do anything but not weights or HIT. Also I am on blood pressure tablets as high blood pressure is not good. That said my aorta has been 46mm and stable for 7 years now and have not reached the stage the doctors think I need to be operated on. I do think that you should insist on getting a proper explanation from the doctor of your condition to put your mind at rest as the terminology in many of the reports is really confusing and cardiologists just assume that patients will understand what is said which causes unnecessary worry,Hope this of some help. Best wishes
I was diagnosed six years ago with an enlarged ascending aorta, currently stable at 4.8 cm. The most recent European surgical guidelines define anything over 4.5 cm as an aneurysm and anything below that as 'dilated' but anything over 4.0 cm should be checked out and monitored, and if you are female and small, this may be taken into account in assessing what it means and whether to be concerned about it.
Which part of your aorta is enlarged? (It makes a very big difference if it is the ascending aorta rather than the descending aorta or abdominal aorta ...)
What kind of scan did you get? (The most accurate measurements are from gated CT scans with contrast or from MRIs. Echocardiograms are great for assessing valve function but do not give a clear view of the whole aorta.)
Have you been seen by a cardiologist who specialises in aortopathies? (It is a micro-specialism, usually based in regional centres seeing adult congenital heart disease patients; if your enlargement is in the ascending aorta or aortic root, then you should ask for a referral and, if you are under the age of 60 or have a family history of similar conditions or unexplained early deaths, you should discuss genetic screening too.)
When I was first diagnosed, I set about finding out everything I could about it: I am more than happy to share ... hope this helps.
Thank you Julian that is really interesting. Didn’t understand the difference between aneurysm and dilation. Am in the care of cardiologist in specialist valve clinic and have just had yet another MRI and have just been referred for genetic screening.and a further stress test. I also have moderate possibly bordering on severe regurgitation so they are watching that to check for damage to the left ventricle . I have been borderline for a replacement operation for almost 3 years now. Kind regards Lexi 71
thank you Julian M as I said saw Cardiologist because GP suspected I had angina because I had chest pain I suffer from severe gerd walke into consulting room he said do you think you have angina to which I replied how am I suppose to no, do you get pain on exercise, I’m 75 and a bit of a couch potato but if I walk of climb stairs no pain he then put up a thoracic ct taken almost two years ago saying this is your enlarged aorta 4.2 there’s nothing for you to worry about he did he was worried a didn’t need to see me again several calls to secretary and to GP he is still saying it’s not about an aneurysm it’s an enlarged aorta may get answers after seeing GP Wednesday
It does sound as though it is an enlarged ascending aorta, given that it was a thoracic CT, but given your age that level of dilation is not unusual, so I think I can understand why you are getting the advice that you are. Definitely a case where your doctor has a better sense of the whole picture than any of us on this forum! I honestly don't think this dilation is anything to worry about: very best of luck in dealing with the other issues.
morning folks just back from CT Angiogram I have a 4.1 desending aneurysm a 2.5 ascending enlargement and a 3.8 root enlargement still confused but they are monitoring things yearly
I would take that as encouraging in that you are a long way off an operation and, in the event that you do, then you may be looking at TEVAR as an option, which is keyhole surgery. All the best!
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Ruptured Aorta 
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