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Aortic Root

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Posted 6/29/2015 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Was just diagnosed with a dilated Aortic root of 4.2 cm via an echo cardiogram.

I am 45 with low to normal blood pressure. all other aspects of the echo were good. I do have celiac sprue and migraines.

Here is the issue... I am scared out of my flippin mind. While 4.2 cm isn't large, I'm extremely concerned about the future.

I have a few questions. I've asked my cardio but all I get is "no definitive answer".

What are the odds that my root will stay at 4.2 or grow so slowly that I will never need the surgery?

Is there anything I can do to stop or slow progression?

What are the odds that the echo was just done incorrectly and that they measured it wrong (wishful thinking)? (I haven't had a followup MRI yet).

Thanks for any help. I know I'm being a big baby about this, but I've never had any sort of surgery and now I'm looking at a possible open heart surgery in a few years.
Posted 6/30/2015 8:13 AM (GMT 0)
welcome to the board Houston.I am from Temple Tx myself.
I didn't know anything about the Aortic Root so I went searching.From what I have read 4.2 could be normal for you.There is nothing that will stop the progression but you can keep it where it is just by keeping your blood pressure normal.I have a brother in law who has been 4.6 for 20 years and he is 73 and still working.
Calm down and quit worrying so much.It will be fine. cool
Posted 6/30/2015 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
rickyb is spot on. blood pressure. reduce stress and anxiety!! welcome from me too.
Posted 6/30/2015 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all! I've been doing a lot of reading and it appears there a few options that could possibly reduce the progression. I'm sure my doc won't take them seriously since the studies on them are very limited.

One for example shows some indication that 150 mg of Doxycycline could be helpful. Since Doxycycline is pretty safe (acne sufferers take it for years) doesn't seem like much downside to at least trying it. Doubt I can get the doc to prescribe though, but will try.

Another study may show that Angiotensin Receptor Blockers could help; Losartan for example. My blood pressure is already on the low side (which makes this aneurysm very confusing...) so doubt I can try this one.

Also saw some indication that low dose aspirin might help. That's an easy one to do.

stress reduction? Only if I can do something about my job, very high stress.

RickyB, is there anything your brother in law takes or does that could be keeping his stable?
Posted 7/1/2015 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Were you ever told you had a "murmur"? Wondering if they have looked at your Aortic Valve? I'm a congenital heart patient born with bicuspid aortic valve disease. It's very common AA to form with a deformed or stenotic aortic valve.

There are also many other reasons, but just thought I'd ask.

My AA measures at 3.9 and I take two baby aspirin and a Nadolol. I too have reagular blood pressure and in fact have to add salt to my diet to keep good pressures with the Nadalol. I also have a prosthetic Aortic Valve.
Posted 7/1/2015 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
The only detected a trace mitral valve regurgitation and a mild tricuspid regurgitation. I was told that both of those are pretty normal.

Everything else looked fine except this odd aortic root size. I had an echo a few years ago and they (other set of doctors) didn't mention anything so I'm guessing it grew (which is concerning).

I'm working on getting those lab results to my new doctors now.

I'm only 45 this is something that usually only happens much later. My primary concern is that I have some kind of connective tissue disease or something else that affects the vascular system.

Post Edited (HoustonTexan) : 7/1/2015 11:08:30 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/1/2015 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Got an an old echo from 4 years ago. Apparently I had a dilated Aortic Root then as well! 4 years ago it was 4.1 cm. So, not much change unless one or the other echo was off a bit.

Very relieved because it doesn't look like a rapid expansion (if at all).

I'm 5'10 and around 170 pounds and I have low normal blood pressure, so still confused as to why I should have a 4.2 Aortic Root. I'm absolutely not an endurance athlete or a large person (which sometimes explains large stable aortic roots)
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