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Should I have operation for dilated aorta
I had a heart attack two months ago with two stents being necessary. At the time it was found that a heart mumur indicated minor regurgitation due to a biscuspid valve. Further tests showed a dilated ascending aorta measuring 49mm.
On seeing a heart surgeon today he suggested just watching the dilation and checking each 6 months. He seemed inclined not to use a metal valve and wanted to delay the inevitable operation. Now I am 62 but in many ways look and feel more like early 50's, possibly due to taking antioxidant supplements for over 30 years and, more recently, antiaging supplements from the Life Extension Foundation (lef.org) such as SODzyme and Resveratrol. I also take CoQ10 for the heart, EPA, magnesium and some other supplements as well as medication.. My BP is under control and my cholesterol has dropped to less than half what is was when I had the heart attack. I have also lost 7Kg and have BMI of 23.
On reflection I believe that a metal valve would be better even though it requires lifetime warfarin use. I may live to over 90 and certainly don't want three open heart operations. Also, the two stents will probably have to be bypassed sooner or later. So there are three things to fix and the most threatening is the dilated aorta. I understand 50mm and above usually requires an operation. But without it I feel I would be quite anxious now knowing about the possibility of a sudden and painful death. So do you think I should ask for the operation now rather than waiting for another measurement in 6 months?
On seeing a heart surgeon today he suggested just watching the dilation and checking each 6 months. He seemed inclined not to use a metal valve and wanted to delay the inevitable operation. Now I am 62 but in many ways look and feel more like early 50's, possibly due to taking antioxidant supplements for over 30 years and, more recently, antiaging supplements from the Life Extension Foundation (lef.org) such as SODzyme and Resveratrol. I also take CoQ10 for the heart, EPA, magnesium and some other supplements as well as medication.. My BP is under control and my cholesterol has dropped to less than half what is was when I had the heart attack. I have also lost 7Kg and have BMI of 23.
On reflection I believe that a metal valve would be better even though it requires lifetime warfarin use. I may live to over 90 and certainly don't want three open heart operations. Also, the two stents will probably have to be bypassed sooner or later. So there are three things to fix and the most threatening is the dilated aorta. I understand 50mm and above usually requires an operation. But without it I feel I would be quite anxious now knowing about the possibility of a sudden and painful death. So do you think I should ask for the operation now rather than waiting for another measurement in 6 months?
In the past I have tended to not act when things have been borderline. In particular, when my PSA was borderline I disregarded it and, 18 months later had another measurement resulting in an urgent radical prostatectomy. Fortunately it seems that was just in time (2 years ago.) Then I also ignored borderline cholesterol and ended up with a heart attack just over two months ago. That may have been a good thing however, for otherwise no-one would have noticed the heart murmur and then the dilated aorta. So now, after reading more on this forum and seeing my general practitioner today I have decided to ask for the operation ASAP. I am waiting on a response to my fax to the surgeon and rather hope he doesn't try to talk me out of it..I think you should do likewise, especially if it is causing you anxiety. Dissections are very painful and a detah sentence.
I have an ascending thoracic aorta aneurysm measuring 4.7 cm. It was found during a routine CT scan in May....I am scheduled for another scan in November to check the growth. My cardiologist said that surgery is done at 5.0-5.5 cm. Twenty two years ago I had open heart to replace the aortic valve with a St.Jude mechanical valve...therefore, I have been on coumadin (warfarin) since that time. The valve is showing some sign of wear so will be replaced when the anuerysm is repaired. I am also nervous about the waiting and wondering.....actually scared. It is actually a wait and see situation.
Take care.
Take care.
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