Questions on Chest CTA

[Mom2four85]

I had a chest CTA (with contrast) that showed I have degenerative changes in the thoracic spine; vascular crowding and cardiac enlargement; which was also on Xrays - but no one knows why.  What or where s the "thoracic" spine, I read it's below the 7th vertebrea?  

Could this be due to damage to my upper neck area (around the 3rd disc) almost 30 years ago or damage to my pelvs in a car accident 12 years ago? Would the damage or trauma have to be in the thoracic area to show the degeneration there?

Also, what type of dr do I go to for this type of problem? I was seeing a neurologist last year before I lost my health insurance who sent me to have xrays & ct of my L5 & S1 I think, due to numbness and pain.

thanks for any help =)

[Mom2four85]

thank you for the reply - yes I'm 43 and had a pretty severe neck injury that paralyzed me for a short duration when I was a teen - kids playing around - a guy "playfully" punched me in the jaw; didn't really hurt but did something to my spine. I haven't had too many problems with it until June 2009 when I started having heart/ans problems, now it's achy and I get frequent headaches.

My pelvis injury on the other hand left me with a small limp that I went through rehab for about 6 months to try and correct and has bothered me off on and depending on activity - but I could still walk & run with no problems as long as I took Nsaids.

No, smoking, diet - fine; used to exercise 4-6 days a week - walking/running; gained weight after heart/ANS problems in June 2009 but doens't hurt any worse with weight gain;  despite this my posture remained great until a few months ago when I noticed I started "schooching" forward to sit from the pain.

I'll definitely go back to my neurologist and get those tests done now I have new insurance starting =)

[EdwardPB]

Damage 30 years ago, I'm guessing you're in at least your 40's?
Yes, Thoracic spine starts just below C7. (T1-T12)
In 40's and older, DDD is common.  As we get older, our discs get less spongy, "dry out" and shrink. (these are not accurate terms, but describe the general picture)

Yes, your injuries can have a definite impact on your condition. There are many factors, and changes in posture due to injury, are very influential. Of course, more important is the usual contributors to everything:
Smoking, diet, exercise, weight, etc.
A Neurologist, or Neurosurgeon, is the only qualified Doctor to give accurate diagnosis and treatment. That does not mean a GP cannot give a good diagnosis and provide effective non-surgical treatment options.