Bigred
Active member
New poster here.
I'm Keith, 35, had congenital aortic valve stenosis. I had a St Jude valve put in back in '89, going strong for the last 20 yrs.
I have been going to Deborah Heart & Lung since I was 5. Had my surgery done there by Lynn McGrath. Stopped going back in '01.
In '01 I had an echo that indicated my valve was leaky. Had a t.e.e. done that confirmed this, but told it was nothing to worry about at the time.
I just went back for a check up last week and was told that their records also indicated a mild dilated aorta of 4cm at the time of the t.e.e. . Needless to say that was news to me.
Anyway, I have been having some chest pain about an inch to the left of the middle of my sternum. Lasted about two weeks in the winter after shoveling, figured it was muscle since I haven't lifted in about 3 yrs. But more recently it's lasted about a week and I didn't over exert myself or begin working out recently.
I'm scheduled for a ct scan w/contrast and and echo next week. Obviously this will give some insight as to what's going on.
Honestly I'm assuming the dilated aorta has probably become an aneurysm at this point considering my history, the fact that it was 4cm 8 yrs ago, and the fact that I have pain in a specific area (most likely the ascending aorta). We'll see in the upcoming weeks if my fears are correct though.
Here's my question:
In the meantime, I know everyone is different, but is it possible for a dilated aorta "mild" as they put it at 4cm to stay that size over a period of 8 yrs?
Is the chest pain most likely related to the aorta? I'm assuming so, just want your opinion here.
I'm Keith, 35, had congenital aortic valve stenosis. I had a St Jude valve put in back in '89, going strong for the last 20 yrs.
I have been going to Deborah Heart & Lung since I was 5. Had my surgery done there by Lynn McGrath. Stopped going back in '01.
In '01 I had an echo that indicated my valve was leaky. Had a t.e.e. done that confirmed this, but told it was nothing to worry about at the time.
I just went back for a check up last week and was told that their records also indicated a mild dilated aorta of 4cm at the time of the t.e.e. . Needless to say that was news to me.
Anyway, I have been having some chest pain about an inch to the left of the middle of my sternum. Lasted about two weeks in the winter after shoveling, figured it was muscle since I haven't lifted in about 3 yrs. But more recently it's lasted about a week and I didn't over exert myself or begin working out recently.
I'm scheduled for a ct scan w/contrast and and echo next week. Obviously this will give some insight as to what's going on.
Honestly I'm assuming the dilated aorta has probably become an aneurysm at this point considering my history, the fact that it was 4cm 8 yrs ago, and the fact that I have pain in a specific area (most likely the ascending aorta). We'll see in the upcoming weeks if my fears are correct though.
Here's my question:
In the meantime, I know everyone is different, but is it possible for a dilated aorta "mild" as they put it at 4cm to stay that size over a period of 8 yrs?
Is the chest pain most likely related to the aorta? I'm assuming so, just want your opinion here.