Dilated aortic root

[CapitanSandy]

Does anyone know anything about a dilated aortic root or have experience of it?

I’m worried about my mum she had chest pain during a panic attack last year. Her ECG was normal. She was referred to have more in depth tests( really delayed because of waiting lists). She had the tests done last month.
Her results showed a dilated aortic root(3.6) there’s no further action for now just monitoring every 6 months to check for any change.

She had high cholesterol and blood pressure which are now controlled by medication.
Heart problems run in the family.

Is there anything you can do to stop further dilating?

Afraid not. It's just a waiting game. My son was born with this and a bicuspid aortic valve. Sounds more scary than it is. He's 12 now.

Essentially they manage it through six monthly monitoring. At some point in the future they may introduce medication ( usually beta blockers) and then in the worse case scenario, they will put a stent in for the dilation and replace the valve. We were told they often do both at once.

As long as your mum is being monitored and doesn't experience rapid out of control pulse or chest pains ( watch out for the usual signs such as blue lips and the like), she should be fine. The cardiologist know their stuff.

Thank you so much for replying @Inchstonesbeatmilestones I think heart stuff always sound scary and my mind jumped to the worse case scenario of collapses and ruptures. Doesn’t help that we’re anxious people anyway!

You're welcome. I was exactly the same at first but you do manage to relax a bit over the years. As long as there is a good team in charge of her care, your anxiety will hopefully reduce.

She only saw the results on her NHS app and hasn’t heard from the cardiologist. She will have another test in 6 months and an appointment after that. So I’m thinking they can’t be too concerned.