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Suggest Treatment For Mild Dilation Of Aorta
Question: I passed out and ended up falling downstairs on Monday morning. I was taken to the ER where a CT scan was taken of my head and heart, X-ray of my neck and back. Everything looked ok. I was transferred that night to the hospital that my cardiologist is at. I do have an aortic dilated root of 4.3. We have known about this for about 3 months now. They think the reason I passed out is because of the 50 mg Of atenolol I am on and have been on since we found out about my heart condition. I was released from the hospital on Wednesday night... Mixed feeling by the different doctors. Some thought it was ok and others wanted me to stay another night. In the end it was my decision and I wanted to go home. I felt ok Thursday, Friday I was getting spells like I wanted to pass out again. Not at all steady on my feet. I have been taking it easy... Today I just feel so bad. Dizzy, headache and over all just miserable. To go back to the meds I forgot to mention that they dropped my from 50- to 25mg. I have never and still don't high blood pressure. I am 36 and in otherwise health condition I guess. Wondering if I should report this to my doctor or is this just part of getting better. Pls help! Fyi not taking any other meds just Tylenol for my headache and body pain.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You should report your persistent complains to the doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your aorta, it is just a mild dilatation, and as far as there is no structural damage of the aortic walls, the steps to be followed are a scheduled follow up of the aortic diameter (and of course its structural integrity) by several imagine modalities like cardiac ultrasound, Angio CT, MRI,coupled with a meticulous blood pressure values control.
That is why you have been prescribed atenolol, to decrease the systolic stress imposed on the aortic walls by myocardial contractile function.
But as you refer, that you have never suffered from high blood pressure, also taking into account your young age (betablockers like may seriously decrease overall physical performance), atenolol use is questionable.
It may be necessary to stop taking atenolol, as it seems to be responsible for such a serious clinical symptomatology.
You have to refer your persistent complains to your doctor and discuss the opportunity to stop taking atenolol.
Meanwhile, a close monitoring of BP values and possibly an ambulatory ECG monitoring will be helpful to manage better your symptoms.
At the end, it is necessary a comprehensive screening for any fibrillopathy, which may be responsible for your aortic dilatation, as well as other etiological factors.
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask me further questions, whenever you need.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
You should report your persistent complains to the doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your aorta, it is just a mild dilatation, and as far as there is no structural damage of the aortic walls, the steps to be followed are a scheduled follow up of the aortic diameter (and of course its structural integrity) by several imagine modalities like cardiac ultrasound, Angio CT, MRI,coupled with a meticulous blood pressure values control.
That is why you have been prescribed atenolol, to decrease the systolic stress imposed on the aortic walls by myocardial contractile function.
But as you refer, that you have never suffered from high blood pressure, also taking into account your young age (betablockers like may seriously decrease overall physical performance), atenolol use is questionable.
It may be necessary to stop taking atenolol, as it seems to be responsible for such a serious clinical symptomatology.
You have to refer your persistent complains to your doctor and discuss the opportunity to stop taking atenolol.
Meanwhile, a close monitoring of BP values and possibly an ambulatory ECG monitoring will be helpful to manage better your symptoms.
At the end, it is necessary a comprehensive screening for any fibrillopathy, which may be responsible for your aortic dilatation, as well as other etiological factors.
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask me further questions, whenever you need.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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