Newbie

Hello all. Newbie here. Here's a little about me. I am 56 and have been having heart related issues for the past 2yrs. My family has a history of heart problems. I noticed mine 2yrs ago when I started having palpitations that made me cough. They were not very frequent at that time. I went to see a cardiologist & he had me take a stress test. Everything was fine. Over the next few years the chest pains & palpitations got more frequent & stronger. I started having chest pressure, frequent heart palpitations, headaches & chest pain. Headaches would go away once the chest pain stopped. I went back for another stress test last Tuesday & was told my thoracic aorta was enlarged. The Cardiologist said he would schedule a CTA & a calcium test for me. So far that has not been done. I have been waiting for it to be scheduled since last Wednesday. My Cardiologist is out of town and the hospital is waiting for him to tell them which CTA to do. How many different CTA's are there? Should I be worried?

BTW, I don't have high blood pressure. Last time it was taken it was 118/72

Hi Dizzy, I happened across your post here. These aneurysm's can be caused by several things & genetic is one of them. Like you heart problems with both parents, I chalk it up to being from the bad gene pool.

Surgery is not always recommended & some times they monitor things to make sure they are not growing faster & getting bigger. Please come back & let us know what the dr says.

Take care.

Hello again, at least now you know what is going on. Your dr cannot tell you how or even why this happened, it simply is something drs cannot ever predict. It is a weak spot in the wall that develops over time & that is how aneurysm's happen. Many are diagnosed by accident. The good news is your dr is doing the right thing by monitoring this.

Take care.

I would make an appt with the dr. because of the fluctuating blood pressure. My theory is its always best to safe than sorry later. And, once you are checked out it will put your mind at ease.

Take care.

Well I went to my family doctor yesterday. He wanted me to have another EKG. After it was done he compared it to one I had a few years ago. Apparently it was abnormal. A T-wave that was once normal is now inverted. He called my cardiologist and he wants me to have another stress test. I get that done on the 19th. I will post the results when I get them back. I hope I have all of this done before my Cancun vacation at the end of the month. Cheers all

"Why are some Dr's so vague?"

no is not vague
yes is not vague
i don't know is not vague

it is possible to have anxiety and heart issues at the same time - i mean why wouldn't you

hope your vaca goes well -

Dizzyagain, so very happy for you that the stress test is normal!! That has to be a tremendous relief, it always is for me when I have one done. Yes, I often have some red places from the electrodes after an EKG too. It goes away in a few days. Sometimes I have wondered if it was the adhesive. Regardless, it is nothing I would even consider worrying about.

Take care.