descending aortic aneurysm...should i worry?

Question

found in an xray, have no nsurance... cant really afford tests...what are the treatments, is it serious?

Answer 1

Sometimes called AAA - it is a weakening in the aortas wall, which is causing a ballooning, which causes more weakening of the artery wall.... 10 years ago they watched it and wouldn't usually do surgery until it was 5-6cm. which seems huge. but that is when your survival rate drops to 50-50 and the surgery of the day was a 50-50 chance. now i think there is a easier surgery and maybe could be done when it is smaller. If it would burst, you will be dead before you hit the floor, but odds are with you. they are hereditary - my mom, aunt had one and mom had an aneurysm in her brain as well - she survived the busting of that one, must have been a small leak or small vessel.

Answer 2

I agree with the ER doc. The shortness of breath and the chest pressure sound suspicious for angina. Atenolol, a beta blocker, is an antianginal medication, so it makes some sense - stopping the medication creates symptoms. I agree with the nurse that a stress echo would be appropriate to get an answer to the angina problem. You didn't specifically mention anything about regurgitation through your aortic valve. (a simple echocardiogram - something I am sure you have had - can tell you) Depending on whether this exists and to the extent that it exists would determine if you are okay to have a stress test. If a stress test is not advisable then an angiogram would be the alternative - possibly an adenosine study (a mild chemical version of a stress test) - but more likely a angiogram. Stomach crunches should not be a big deal, but if I were you I would back off until you can arrive at a reason why there has been a change in symptoms since going off the Atenolol. Its sort of walking the tightrope with no net. Fine if all goes well, but... Better to be safe rather than sorry. Call for an appointment with the last cardiologist you saw - let them know you are having shortness of breath and chest tightness with activity. Explain the above. He will take it from there. The note on the bicuspid valve - you should take antibiotic prior to any dental procedures. There can be a propensity to have a bacterial infection (endocarditis) with bicuspid valves. Occassionally this can have very serious complications, such as a stroke. Talk with the cardiologist about this too. Good luck.

Answer 3

A descending aortic aneurysm is a ticking time bomb.

Forget the insurance. Arrangements can be made. This problem, and the problem that causes it, kills people. Unexpectedly. It can be fixed easily by modern surgery if done before it explodes.

And have your family checked out, because this can be a genetic problem caused by several connective tissue disorders, of which Marfan Syndrome is just one. You'll need to get your eyes and heart valves checked, too.

I know from experience about these things, (we're talking dead family here) and it is not a fun condition. Suck up your pride and get it repaired. You can have the rest of your life to make payments. Or just thank us tax-payers for the help -- at least you'll be alive to earn a living, take care of your family, and pay us back..

Answer 4

A lot depends on the size of the aneurysm. They measure them in centimeters and when you get to about 6 or 7, they start talking about surgery. If it is a small one, they watch it and do scans every once in awhile to make sure it hasnt grown.
I am a RN, but in a totally different field. My friend, Chuck has a descenidng aortic aneurysm and they are keeping him under observation. He goes for a CT scan every so often to keep an eye on it.

Answer 5

If you cannot afford tests/treatment, you need to go to a county hospital in a major metropolitan area. They will help you out for free and usually have really good services because they are teaching hospitals.

A decending aortic aneurysm is nothing to mess around with. If it gets worse and ruptures, thats the end of the story... and you wont really have time to regret not making time to make sure it is stable/get it surgically repaired if it is not.

You also are going to need to make sure that your blood pressure is under control. That means diet and pharmacologic therepy if needed. Get to a doctor.

Answer 6

An aneurysm is a separation of the walls of an artery and as the blood forces into the separation it causes ballooning...a bubble on the main artery of the body. Like a bubble, it can burst at any moment and requires surgical care. No medication can help it, it is a physical problem and require repair. Sorry I can't offer any prognosis on how long or even how fast it is growing.

Answer 7

Yes it is serious and all hospitals ARE required by FEDERAL LAW to offer medical attention to stabilize a condition up to and including surgery. Who ever said "not all" doesn't know the law! If you were told "no" by a hospital then you need to contact the appropriate federal agency which should be posted in the hospital admitting office (also federal law)! If not, use your computer to find it! However, the most important thing is to seek immediate medical assistance and worry about paying for it later!
They can't get blood from a stone!!!!

Answer 8

do not EVER say that.each hospital has forms to apply for reduced,or no money as all.call there social worker,tell the you have problems,and no insurance.call the politician's.in your district. have friends give you a fund raiser,untill that help comes throu...do not give up..call mounty.hes helping people get the meds they need to live,called the gift of life.apply every where...........

Answer 9

This could be very serious. It is the thinning of the walls of the main vessel in your body. It will be watched closely. You didn't mention your age but our vessels get weaker as we get older. This can be corrected by surgery. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor about this.

Answer 10

heck yeah this is serious. get to a government health facility to explore your treatment options. i cant believe some doctor told you that you had this and did not provide referrals to affordable/free care