How many of you with aortic root dilatation?

[themalteser]

Hi,

Was just wondering, but, how many of you have an aortic root dilatation? or perhaps, ascending aorta, and how do you cope with it? Have it stayed same size for quite some time? Mine are Ao Root 4.5 − 4.8 depending on scans, and ascending aorta is around 3.8.

Must admit, it’s the first thing that pops in my head when I open my eyes, and the culprit of sleepless nights I’m having. Sometimes I’m fine, I just forget about it and carry on as normal, like jogging, cycling etc. But at times, I get really worried and scared.

I discussed with my cardiologist last Friday, and he assured me that I shouldn’t worry and that he keeps on seeing me every 12 months. I take atenolol in morning and evening, but Cardiologist want to change me from Atenolol to an ACE inhibitor, but said that might give me cough, and if it does, he will give me something else. He wants to change my atenolol, because my BP on my last visit went up to 159/84, but, I was very anxious. He asked me to monitor it for a week, and to send him the results. So far it averaged around 130/70, bit lower will be nice of course, so probably I have to have different meds.

I’m seeking some reassurance, please, as I’m a bit fragile today and have to take a diazepam to relax as otherwise, I get worse and worse.

Thank you all and look forward to your responses.

 

[camgough]

Sorry you are so stressed. Your measurements seem pretty small to be so concerned. Look on the bright side, you know it is there and being monitored. I didn't know and mine was 6.7cm and 6 weeks later I was on the operation table. Also your bp looks pretty good. I imagine the visit to the Dr. Office is why it was high. Good luck with the med change. I hope you feel ok.

Sent using tapatalk on Samsung Galaxy S2

 

[themalteser]

Camgough, thank you for your prompt reply and for making me feel better. I don’t know what happens to me, at times I’m ok, not 100% but at least I’m fine, and at times I feel like what they describe as pending doom. I’ve taken meds for this before, as perhaps it could be a bit of depression, which, of course, I accept. But, I just can’t get rid of this fear, it’s there before I shut my eyes, and keeps me awake till so late at night, that I started waking up like zombie, so of course, I’m under performing significantly at work, because I’m so, so tired. Tried to explain to my boss that I get anxious at times (He went off sick with stress for 2 whole months, when it was the company's year end accounts!!!) and he just does not listen to my concerns, and to the contrary, he gives me more crap!, he even gets funny when I ask for a holiday...... Sorry, went off a bit, but not a lot of people seem to understand. Part of me wishes people tell me that they don’t want to understand, as I’m fine, and part of me wishes that someone will understand me and listen to my concerns and perhaps say I’m fine.... To see a shrink again, is like either they prescribe me meds, which I ain’t keen about, or ask me to do tasks by the book, such as CBT, which is helpful, but just want someone really strong to tell me to shut up and listen.... I’m FINE!!! perhaps Gestalt therapy might do!!

 

[themalteser]

Camcough, how did you find out about your aneurysm? was it a coincidence?

 

[Madsometimes]

I had my root replaced 7 weeks ago, because it went from 4.4 to 4.8 cm in one year. The five month wait for surgery was the worst part of the experience. I was terrified that my dilation would increase drastically, but it didn't, and I was fine.

As long as you are having regular check ups, I would not worry too much. Once you get to 5 cm, you may well be referred for surgery, but the risks are low if you have an experienced surgeon.

 

[Ovie]

Camgough, thank you for your prompt reply and for making me feel better. I don’t know what happens to me, at times I’m ok, not 100% but at least I’m fine, and at times I feel like what they describe as pending doom. I’ve taken meds for this before, as perhaps it could be a bit of depression, which, of course, I accept. But, I just can’t get rid of this fear, it’s there before I shut my eyes, and keeps me awake till so late at night, that I started waking up like zombie, so of course, I’m under performing significantly at work, because I’m so, so tired. Tried to explain to my boss that I get anxious at times (He went off sick with stress for 2 whole months, when it was the company's year end accounts!!!) and he just does not listen to my concerns, and to the contrary, he gives me more crap!, he even gets funny when I ask for a holiday...... Sorry, went off a bit, but not a lot of people seem to understand. Part of me wishes people tell me that they don’t want to understand, as I’m fine, and part of me wishes that someone will understand me and listen to my concerns and perhaps say I’m fine.... To see a shrink again, is like either they prescribe me meds, which I ain’t keen about, or ask me to do tasks by the book, such as CBT, which is helpful, but just want someone really strong to tell me to shut up and listen.... I’m FINE!!! perhaps Gestalt therapy might do!!

I hear ya, trust me..and others, that this is normal, some handle it better than others, I'm not one of those who are handling it to well. I'm 25 and my parents don't seem to care about seeking information about what's going on (AVR) and I have surgery next month, so I know how that goes when you get that feeling of wanting someone to understand, that's why I come here, I'm fairly new, and if I have a question or am having a tough day, I don't hesitate to ask or seek some kind of reassurance because I've never once had someone say "dumb question, get over yourself, etc" and I can't tell you how many times just the smallest thing that someone posts can calm my nerves. I was a wreck before this site, and like you said, there's times where you just feel fine and carry on, but sometimes it hits ya hard, that's been the story of my life last 7 months. Although I'm not working my household is nothing but stressful which I find to not be healthy because I'm stressed all the time. I don't have trouble sleeping, I've had anxiety and panic attacks my whole life so I'm on 4mg of Xanex XR which has managed all of that throughout the years so I have that handled for the most part. I do have the fear, and as of late extreme depression.

It's a rollarcoaster of emotions, you hear OHS and you think serious business, and it is, nothing is written in stone for your outcome. However as I've learned and been told, we are lucky to live in a time where OHS is like riding a bike for the surgeon, and the monitoring phase, and most of the time they know what's going on.

So what I'm saying is I'm in the same boat, as are others..I'm a newbie, I'm sure more people will come along and explain things that I can't. You tell yourself not to stress out about it, not the greatest saying in the world, since it's easier said than done. But your not always delt Aces in life and you just have to go with the flow, you'll be alright and I hope you never hesitate to post or vent because the people on here are truly amazing and are never anything short of being there to help you out.

So I know it's difficult, but keep your chin up and stop worrying about it until its actually time to worry, which may be never.

Cheers!

 

[Superbob]

It sounds like you have some time before surgery will be scheduled, with your cardiologist monitoring you at regular intervals to see if the dilation is increasing.

Way long ago, when I was in my early 20s, an internist detected a murmur and told me that many years hence I would have to have a valve replacement. I didn't think a lot about it through the years, led an active life, sports etc., had no symptoms -- then in my early 60s an observant cardiologist found the valve leakage was contributing to dilation of the root, and he told me in great detail what would have to be done at some point. As I understood what he told me, 5.0 cm was the usual red line. He was giving me echoes at 6 months, then 3 months, and the dilation was shown to be increasing pretty briskly. During my surgery at age 63, it was measured at 5.5.

As long as you are being monitored closely, you should be fine. I had a very understanding work situation, so I don't know what to advise you about your boss. Just know that you can talk to us here at any time. It helps to talk to people who have been there. Making my rounds at the hospital yesterday, I talked to a guy my age who had just had an AVR. He really brightened up when I told me I had mine seven years ago next month, and am doing well. Most people who have not been through this are not going to understand fully, but you've got a whole family of folks here for you.:thumbup: