I'm new here and felt the need to sign up and join because I have received some bad news that has made me re-assess life and forced me to get things into perspective.
About a year or so ago I was told I had high blood pressure. Being a man (and, as time would tell, an idiot), I did the typical thing of ignoring it. After all, as we all know, the more you ignore a heath problem, the quicker it goes way by itself, right?
Anyway, thinking that having high blood pressure wasn't really a serious issue with no repercussions whatsoever, I just carried on working (London night bus driver) and generally getting no with my life.
Sadly, it all seems to have come to a head in December 2024, when I came down with a virus. My immune system tried to fight that virus, but the virus fought back. In doing so it gave me a rather nasty chest infection, which resulted in breathing problems and a week in hospital.
Thankfully the chest infection was dealt with, but it seems to have had a knock-on affect. I don't know if what happened was s result of the chest infection or not, but I was told I have something called Aneurysm of ascending aorta.
Basically I was told that my blood pressure is very high (currently 138/107) and if the first number gets to about 200 the artery could burst, which isn't good. I've also been told that I may need open heart surgery and have the actual artery replaced with a artificial one.
On top of all of that I now have to take meds three times a day for the rest of my life to try and get my blood pressure under control. The meds I have gotten used to, but the thought that I could either die from a burst blood vessel or need open-heart surgery has gotten me very worried.
Is there anyone here that has experience with this? It'll be interesting to know how common this condition is. All of this is new to me and it's hard to process.
Thanks.
Written by
Martin_In_London
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Martin - there are a number of us on this forum with this diagnosis; mine is currently stable at 4.8 cm and was diagnosed in 2018 when I volunteered for a research project.
It came as a total surprise and shock to me at the time when I was diagnosed, though I now see it as probably a genetic condition in my case - even though I have been through genetic testing (with completely negative results so far). There are a number of conditions which can cause these aneurysms and increase the risk they will dissect; Marfan syndrome is the best known, but there are at least 10 more for which tests are available.
You definitely need to get your high blood pressure under control, but it may or may not be what has caused the aneurysm. I don't have high blood pressure, but am now on one drug (irbesartan) for which there is a little evidence that it may slow the growth of the aneurysm and limit the risk of dissection. I would hope and expect that one of your drugs would be in that class (an ARB).
The big question is: how large is it now, and what kind of scan was used to assess it? Accurate measurement needs either a cardiac CT with contrast or a cardiac MRI, ideally looking at the whole aorta. An echocardiogram is also advisable, to assess the state of your aortic valve. You will have been given advice to avoid heavy lifting. Depending on the size, there might be implications for your driving license: the DVLA website has information on this. Rules for drivers of passenger vehicles are different to those for motor cars and motor bikes.
The other big question is whether you need to get referred to someone who specialises in aortic disease, at a centre where they do surgery for it, and to open a discussion with a surgeon, even if surgery is not immediately on offer.
The answer to your question about how common it is, is 'it depends'. Mostly on how large. Because the size of the aorta does vary: a lot of people - especially in older age - have moderately dilated aortas, up to 4.0 or so, but many fewer - probably less than 1 in 200 - will have aortas at 5.0 or above.
There are some Facebook support groups, one of them UK-specific; there are also a couple of Aortic Dissection charities, but no organisations specialising in aortic aneurysms. It's a big frustration that NHS information on the subject is generally inadequate.
If you have any other questions, I'll do my best ...
I don’t have personal experience but my granddaughters other grandfather - a bus driver! - was diagnosed with this about 25 years ago and was operated on about two years later. At age 82 now, he’s led an active life until very recently.
From what I’ve seen within this forum, people with aortic aneurysms are regularly monitored.
It’s now down to you. Have plenty of exercise- I don’t mean going to the gym, I mean walking so that your heart rate goes up a little but you can still hold a conversation. A good diet with freshly prepared food, snacks that are NOT biscuits cake and sausage rolls. The website of BHF has plenty of suggestions.
My thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm was found in 2021 st 5.2 cm snd after a period of watchful waiting I advocated to have it respired with a graft insert by open heart surgery in April 2023. I have a bicuspid valve which is moderately regurgitating as well. Based on all my reading of such aneurysms and with my having a BAV I wanted it done asap as my operative risk in a good cardiac centre was for significantly less than the risk of dissection / rupture. Non elective TAA in an emergency carries a much higher risk as well.
Hi Martin, using a friend's home monitor I accidentally discovered high BP last April (215/115), was also found to have tachycardia (fast heart rate). I've been on meds since then which do a really good job of keeping my BP down but I've also lost some weight, walk more, go to bed a bit earlier and eat blueberries. All small things that won't resolve my bp without meds but it helps. Anyway I had an echocardiogram for the tachycardia and turns out I have a bicuspid aortic valve (two leaflets not 3), which is a bit stiff (mild stenosis) so there is some regurgitation. I also have an ascending aneurysm of 4cm and they are monitoring me. The best thing is you now know and your BP is under control. Did you have an echo? Seems to be a standard test for them to see what is going on. They are just monitoring me now. Another echo in 1.5 years. I'm philosophical about needing surgery in the future - it can be fixed and I should lead a normal life, unlike my mum, grandad and uncle who all died young. So yes, it is a shock but be reassured that it has been discovered.ake sure you understand what follow up you will have and take any lifestyle advice given 🙂
Hi Martin Firstly I'm sorry you've received this news and it is very overwhelming and frightening.
My son was diagnosed in 2020 with a dilated aortic root he was just 14. He is stable and has regular check up and is on blood pressure medication. He is young fit and we believed very healthy. In 2023 his consultant advised me to get checked and I was also diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilation in 2023. I am older overweight and have had high blood pressure for many years. My Dilation is currently at 4.8 so I'm again monitored annually.
As Julian (hi Julian) has mentioned moving forward is the important thing. You said your a Londoner and there are good hospitals that specialises in this condition. If your not being seen by a specialist get a referral from GP ASAP.
Use this site, for support and personal experience to help you understand. When my son was diagnosed in was beyond devastated but there were many supportive people who offered information which helped me understand and I am fairly calmer 😉
JulianM is a absolute fountain of knowledge and very generous with his time.
My partner has the same... discovered at the beginning of his cancer journey. He is monitored as they will only operate when it reaches a certain size. The consultant also said that aneurysms are more common than people think and lots of people have them without them ever being discovered or rupturing. Now yours has been discovered I would say your BP definitely also needs regular checks and medication if it is high. I'm sure you will get encouraging answers from people on the forum who have the same condition as you and I hope their reassurance will make you feel less anxious about it. X
Hi, I too have had a recent diagnosis - 4.3cm - which was discovered following an MRI scan for breast cancer. The breast cancer is being treated and is low grade so I am firstly very grateful for screening programmes and that the cancer has led to the discovery of my heart condition! I have paid a lot of attention to my diet for some years and have done lots of exercise and have low blood pressure and considered myself very fit and healthy for my 62 years - the reality is we simply do not know what is going on inside us! I am much calmer after a few weeks of learning about the heart condition and working out what level of exercise is safe for me and have doubled down on my diet eating foods I know work for my micro biome (I was an early adopter of the Zoe programme which I would thoroughly recommend if you can afford it). I am philosophical, I have no idea what has caused it other than heart issues run in our family so possibly genetic and I have undertaken some tough physical challenges in recents years which may have been too much for my heart at my age, but now I know and can make sure I manage as best I can to avoid an emergency. My heart itself is healthy which I hope confirms my lifestyle choices in recent years (keep up the exercise and healthy eating and hopefully the blood pressure will stay low). My feeling is I will push for elective surgery if my next tests show growth as I would prefer to be generally healthy and ‘younger’ when this is done. I have had a full CT scan with contrast and and echocardiogram as well as the mri. Luckily my local hospital is one of the specialist heart centre hospitals in London (NHS) so feel in safe hands. I would recommend pushing for a referral to one of these if you can (several around the country). My advice is focus on what is in your control (diet and right kind of exercise) and that will give you a feeling of control, forward momentum and confidence you are doing the best you can for yourself.
Hi Martin , I was completely poleaxed when I had my diagnosis of a dilated aortic root seven years ago and I could not really take in anything the consultant said. My dilated root is linked in my case to the fact that I also have a bicuspid valve - this is a quite common cause but there can be other causes including if you have other genetic conditions such as marfans it can result in a dilated aorta The key positive thing is that the issue has been identified so your aorta can be monitored. As the other members of the forum have explained usually the approach is “watchful waiting “ until your aorta reaches a particular size when the cost benefit analysis means it is a good idea to operate and fix the aorta. I had regular echos and MRIs to monitor my condition for the last seven years to to see if it was growing in size. Mine has been stable for seven years at 4.5 / 4.6 (below the size when you would generally operate) although I now need an operation for other reasons. Try not let it take over your life but as mentioned already it is very important your blood pressure is kept under control . I am on blood pressure meds and try to keep fit - until recently I ran went swimming went to the gymn and do yoga and Pilates. I was told no weights or HIT anything putting major pressure on chestSo it is not necessarily that limiting but you need to ask your consultant what exercise is appropriate in your case. If possible stick to BHF sites and NHS sites for information . Unfortunately it will mess up your travel insurance as you need to disclose and it will put up the premiums Best wishes Lexi
mine is 5.1 stable my blood pressure was always around 176/100 I was prescribed spyronoctal which has brought my blood pressure under reasonable readings .
Long story short..Mine was 6.6cm when it was discovered and I was told 3 to 5 years left if I did not have an op.
So I had the op about 3.5 years ago and got a mechanical aortic valve fitted. I am more or less back to normal, out walking most days, cycling in better weather and currently hiking my way through the wainwright's in the lake district.
I am on about 8 different meds each day and have warfarin checks.
So there is light at the end of the tunnel but understand fully what it's like when it happens to you .....
My mother needed an aortic valve replacement and when going through tests before they found she also had that same type of aneurysm. She had both taken care of at the same time in 1994 and is still around at age 90. My sister in law had one diagnosed a year ago and the damned hospital sent her home on BP meds saying it would be monitored. She died 4 days later when it burst. Don't ignore it. Yeah the surgery is scary but never knowing when the thing will let loose should be scarier, don't et it take you out.
Hi Martin, I know how you feel, recently diagnosed and waiting to see a cardiologist. My anxiety was through the roof at first but after advice and reassurance through this group I feel loads better, other than improve your lifestyle and take your medication there’s not a lot you can do, just be vigilant regarding symptoms and live your life to the full.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
Aorta Acending Aneurysm 
Why exactly are we higher risk?
All I need is some honest advise
Bicuspid aortic valve and enlarged ascending aorta. 
