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Enlarged aorta.....aortic aneurysm?

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Posted 12/30/2015 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
My 21 year old brother was at the heart doctor today, they told him he had an enlarged aorta. When he was 5 he had open heart surgery for a hole in his heart (atrial septal defect). Today was supposed to be just a regular check up for his old condition but they found the enlarged aorta. I'm sorry that I don't know much information about his original condition or much of anything else but I get everything passed on from my mother and she's pretty upset with the news. Apparently the doctor is not very worried about this and says that he needs to come back in a year for a follow up. This to me does not seem right....seems they need to maybe look into this further instead of sending him on his way. Any outlook on this? He has always been an athlete and is a high jumper for Washington State University (went to Pac 12 this year) so he is in really great health. I would really like to console my mother and give her some good (better) news. Thank you
Posted 12/30/2015 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
welcome. my ticker is stiff, the walls says my cardiologist, but after my op it is pumping good. if the cardiologist has given him the boot for the year then you know all is well. please try and not dr.google, just causes anxiety. the heart, things move, walls get thick and thin, and your bro has an enlarged aorta. sounds just as is. some people have enlarged pancreas, kidney, liver etc. it does not necessarily mean defect or disease. great health, jumping running. wow, sounds pretty darn a ok to me. tests done, doc says see ya next year, so relax ok.
Posted 12/31/2015 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
hi randilb.. I would go for a second opinion, they should of measure his aorta. My husband found out 6 months ago his aorta is 4.5. They told us we have to go every 6 months to see if it grew. I would go for second opinion, just to be safe.

Post Edited (stevellen) : 1/4/2016 7:55:11 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/6/2016 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi randilb. Welcome to the board. I am also a congenital heart patient, meaning I was also born with a heart defect.

Is your brother still being seen by a pediatric cardiologist? As he ages out of pediatrics, I would ask your mom about looking into an Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, if he hasn't already begun to transition to one.

It is not uncommon for adult congenital patients to have additional diagnoses "pop up" as we get older. I wonder if your brother also has Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease or Aortic Stenosis? This is just one congenital defect that often develops an enlarged aorta as an adult.

It is common protocol to be seen once a year for an Echo with an enlarged Aorta if it is measuring at or under 4 cm. I have been watching mine for about 15 years with very little change. I too have had other open heart surgeries.

Best of luck and try not to worry to much, it doesn't change anything.
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