Five major signs of an enlarged ascending aorta are: persistent chest or upper back pain that feels deep and throbbing; shortness of breath that happens for no reason; voice changes or a dry cough that won’t go away; trouble swallowing; and a family history of aortic conditions or genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome.
Don’t ignore these signs, especially if they come on suddenly or get worse over time. Proper imaging can help find problems early, which can stop complications that could be life-threatening.
Pain in the Chest or Upper Back that Won’t Go Away
A lot of people think that chest pain is just indigestion or a muscle strain, but if you have pain in your chest or upper back that doesn’t go away, it could be a sign that your ascending aorta is getting bigger. This pain is different from normal muscle soreness; it might be deep, throbbing, or come with a tearing feeling.
If the pain spreads to your neck or between your shoulder blades, pay close attention. These symptoms could mean that your ascending aorta is stretching too much, which raises your risk of serious problems like aortic dissection.
Don’t wait until the pain is really bad to get medical help. Imaging can find dangerous growths early on, before they cause serious problems. If you have chest or back pain that doesn’t go away, especially if you have a family history of aortic problems, see your doctor right away.
Breathlessness While Doing Normal Routine
If you have trouble breathing while doing things that used to be easy for you, it could be because your ascending aorta is too big. This symptom happens because an enlarged aorta can push on other structures in your chest, like your airways and pulmonary vessels.
When your ascending aorta grows, it affects your heart health by making it harder for blood to flow to important organs like your lungs. Your heart has to work harder, especially if you already have high blood pressure. You may feel short of breath when you climb stairs, carry groceries, or even walk short distances. People often feel unusual tiredness that rest does not relieve.
Avoid dismissing these symptoms as simply a result of aging or being out of shape. They need to see a doctor right away, especially if they get worse slowly but steadily.
A Voice that Changes or a Cough That Won’t Go Away
If you have a cough that won’t go away or your voice quality changes in a noticeable way, it could be because your ascending aorta is getting bigger and pressing against your trachea or recurrent laryngeal nerve. This pressure effect, which is common with an aortic aneurysm, can make it hard to swallow, cause a dry cough that won’t go away, or make your voice sound hoarse.
Don’t ignore these signs, especially if you have chest pain along with them or if you have a family history of aortic problems. Those with connective tissue disorders have a higher risk.
If you notice changes in your voice or a cough that won’t go away for no apparent reason, see your doctor right away.
To check the size of your aorta and see if an enlarged ascending aorta is to blame, they might suggest imaging tests like an echocardiogram, CT scan, or MRI.
Eating Problems That Don’t Seem to Have a Reason
If you have trouble swallowing for no clear reason, it could be because your ascending aorta is too big and pressing against your esophagus. This pressure can make it feel like food is stuck or cause pain when you eat. If you have these symptoms along with heart palpitations or a heart murmur, don’t ignore them.
People with connective tissue disorders are more likely to have their aorta grow larger and have trouble swallowing. To check the size and function of your aorta, your doctor may suggest an echocardiogram. Keep in mind that having high blood pressure greatly raises your risk of aortic dilation, so it’s important to keep it under control.
Get medical help right away if you suddenly have trouble swallowing or if it gets worse quickly. If these symptoms occur, particularly with chest pain or difficulty breathing, it is important to get medical care right away to avoid serious health risks.
Family History and Genetic Conditions That Are Related
Your family’s medical history is an important sign of your own risk of having an enlarged ascending aorta. Tell your doctor right away if any of your family members have had an aortic aneurysm, dissection, or sudden cardiac death.
Some genetic conditions, like Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and Turner syndrome, make your risk much higher. These disorders damage connective tissue, which makes the wall of the aorta weaker. Another inherited condition that often goes along with ascending aortic enlargement is a bicuspid aortic valve.
Your doctor may suggest regular CT or MRI scans even if you don’t have any symptoms if you have a family history of these conditions. These imaging tests can find out how big your aorta is and how much it has grown before it becomes dangerous, which could save your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can medications alone fix an enlarged ascending aorta?
Medications can help you deal with your enlarged ascending aorta by keeping your blood pressure in check and slowing its growth, but they can’t make it smaller.
Does anxiety make the aorta swell up for a short time?
No, anxiety does not make the aorta temporarily larger. Anxiety can raise your blood pressure for a short time, but it won’t directly widen your aorta. But long-term stress could lead to high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for problems with the aorta.
Are there ways to sleep that are bad for aortic enlargement?
You shouldn’t sleep on your stomach. To lower pressure on your aorta and improve circulation, it’s best to sleep on your back with your upper body slightly raised or on your side.
How long does it take to heal after surgery?
It usually takes up to 8 weeks to get better after aortic surgery. You’ll be in the hospital for 5 to 7 days, and then you’ll slowly start doing more things at home. It usually takes 2 to 3 months to recover and get back to normal activities fully.
Can pregnancy make an already enlarged aorta worse?
Yes, an enlarged aorta can get worse during pregnancy. The extra blood volume and cardiac output put stress on your heart and blood vessels, which could speed up the growth of your aorta. A cardiologist will need to keep an eye on you and take care of you throughout your pregnancy.
In the year 2020, I encountered one of the most significant challenges of my life when I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm. This condition, considered one of the most severe and dangerous forms of cardiovascular disease, required immediate surgical intervention. The ascending aorta, which is the segment of the aorta that rises from the heart and delivers oxygen-rich blood to the body, had developed an abnormal bulge in its wall, known as an aneurysm. Left untreated, such an aneurysm could lead to life-threatening conditions such as aortic dissection or even aortic rupture.
In response to this urgent health crisis, I underwent emergency surgery, a procedure aimed to repair the dilated section of my aorta, thereby preventing a potential disaster. This type of surgery often involves a procedure known as an open chest aneurysm repair, where the weakened part of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic tube, a demanding operation that calls for extensive expertise and precision from the surgical team.
Surviving such a major health scare deeply impacted my life, leading me to channel my experience into something constructive and helpful for others going through the same situation. As a result, I took it upon myself to establish this website and a corresponding Facebook group. These platforms are designed to provide support, encouragement, and a sense of community for those grappling with the reality of an ascending aortic aneurysm.
I often refer to those of us who have had our aneurysms discovered and treated before a catastrophic event as “the lucky ones.” The unfortunate reality is that aortic aneurysms are often termed “silent killers” due to their propensity to remain asymptomatic until they rupture or dissect, at which point it’s often too late for intervention. Thus, we, who were diagnosed and treated timely, represent the fortunate minority, having had our aneurysms detected before the worst could happen.
Through this website and our Facebook group, I aim to raise awareness, provide critical information about the condition, share personal experiences, and, above all, offer a comforting hand to those who are facing this daunting journey. Together, we can turn our brushes with mortality into a beacon of hope for others.
Also, I make websites look pretty and rank them on search engines, raise a super amazing kid, and I have a beautiful wife.
