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Can X Rays Be Used To Diagnose Enlarged Aorta?
Brief Answer:
Chest X Rays can give some information, but it can't be conclusive
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
ECG is not informative for aortic enlargement, but with chest X Rays we can suspect enlarged aorta, anyway, it should be confirmed with either duplex ultrasound or echocardiography (depending the side of enlargement), or contrast CT angiography, which is the most informative method.
Wishing a good health to your mother
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
Chest X Rays can give some information, but it can't be conclusive
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
ECG is not informative for aortic enlargement, but with chest X Rays we can suspect enlarged aorta, anyway, it should be confirmed with either duplex ultrasound or echocardiography (depending the side of enlargement), or contrast CT angiography, which is the most informative method.
Wishing a good health to your mother
In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Thank you for answering. I'm going to tell you a bit more about her case.
She had no pains or chest pains. Her blood pressure went to 198, I forgot the
bottom number. We went to the emergency. They gave a chest x ray and ekg
and they said they saw nothing. She went on hydroclorothiazide 25 mg.
She took those pills seven days and then we went back to the emergency.
She felt weak and the heart rate was 110 which they said was not bad.
Said she had a potassium deficiency. She took potassium two days and it
was back to 4.1. Then two days later back to the emergency.
This time, we were referred to a cardiologist. He said he didn't think it was
an anuresem but that he thought she might have an enlarged aorta. So
we are so worried. She is 82 would that mean surgery? he put her on
lisinopril and metoprolol and she took those today and it looks like now her
pressure is too low?
Thank you for answering. I'm going to tell you a bit more about her case.
She had no pains or chest pains. Her blood pressure went to 198, I forgot the
bottom number. We went to the emergency. They gave a chest x ray and ekg
and they said they saw nothing. She went on hydroclorothiazide 25 mg.
She took those pills seven days and then we went back to the emergency.
She felt weak and the heart rate was 110 which they said was not bad.
Said she had a potassium deficiency. She took potassium two days and it
was back to 4.1. Then two days later back to the emergency.
This time, we were referred to a cardiologist. He said he didn't think it was
an anuresem but that he thought she might have an enlarged aorta. So
we are so worried. She is 82 would that mean surgery? he put her on
lisinopril and metoprolol and she took those today and it looks like now her
pressure is too low?
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there is no aneurism and only enlarged aorta, most probably there will be no need for an operation. But the diagnosis should be confirmed with more informative methods than X Rays.
If she take medications and keep blood pressure normal, most probably there will be no further enlargement. High blood pressure with time often leads to aortic enlargement and aneurism.
If her pressure is too low and she tolerates it bad, then the doses of medications should be decreased. But remember, always pay attention of the top numbers in her age (systolic blood pressure), if only bottom number is low, then don't worry.
Take care
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there is no aneurism and only enlarged aorta, most probably there will be no need for an operation. But the diagnosis should be confirmed with more informative methods than X Rays.
If she take medications and keep blood pressure normal, most probably there will be no further enlargement. High blood pressure with time often leads to aortic enlargement and aneurism.
If her pressure is too low and she tolerates it bad, then the doses of medications should be decreased. But remember, always pay attention of the top numbers in her age (systolic blood pressure), if only bottom number is low, then don't worry.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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