Dialted Aorta

Hi, I sure hope you can help or at least have some answer's.For the past 3weeks I 've been having (sounds Strange)Heart pain, along with chest pain but the Heart pain IS the wrost ! I had a Stress test done b/c of a iregular EKG. I am 47/ Female,High blood pressue& unfortunally I smoke , overwieght,not very active(HaveRSD ).I saw My heart Dr. yesterday he said my EKG was still adnormal, & will always will be,so he sent me to the hospital for a cat Scan (angee type0 they used IV w/ dye, & 2 chest Xrays looking for possible blood clot. Well Thank God, no blood clot but The heart pain is wrost today. The hosp. call with my report to the Dr. I heard her say she has a Dilatied Aorta & something else, but they release me. Now today I was better then near night I start feeling like I have flu syptoms (symptoms) all while my Heart & chest are hurting . I do not know what to do anymore & the heart pain scares me. I was in the hospital in Oct.08 for my stomach, I had severre diareha and stomach pain, & the stomach pain has also been comming back the last month or so.They did test & found my stomach linning was bleeding. They gave me prlosec & I was off it until a week ago, I am having bloating,and my stomach always hurts after I eat. Shissh I am a mess, I wish to God they could fiqure out what is going on ! Plz help !!! Anything @ all will help......Should my Cardio Dr. do something about my dialted Aorta? He did not even call me about the report today (after the hosp. test yesterday) Thank you SOOOO very much plz tell me as much as you can...What IS your opion??? Again Really Thanks!!!

[Dr J Singh]

Traditionally for the aorta, any permanently dilated section measuring 4.0 cm or greater in diameter has been called an aneurysm.

The definition of an aneurysm may also be based on comparison with the normal blood vessel size for an individual. When the permanent enlargement of some part of a blood vessel is at least 1.5 times greater than normal size, it may be termed an aneurysm. Applying this to the aorta, if an individual's normal aorta is 2.5 cm, then dilation of 3.75 cm or greater represents an aneurysm in that person.

It is very important that those with aortic disease do not smoke either actively or passively. A diet low in fat and carbohydrates and high in fiber and protein is recommended. Exercise is generally extremely helpful for aortic aneurysm patients, and they are encouraged to be active. Usually power walks of 15 to 30 minutes two to three times daily are recommended. However, heavy lifting, which puts pressure on the aorta, is prohibited.

Regarding the problem in the stomach, it’s likely due to an ulcer/acute gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach). Here again, smoking is a big culprit and you need to give it up soon or it’ll worsen your stomach ulcers.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted. Kind Regards.