My Dad had a ruptured AAA at home, in January of this year. He was aware enough to tell my Mom to call an ambulance right before he passed out from excruciating pain. He was rushed to the hospital and in surgery 2 hours later. After a very difficult and long recovery, we brought him home from the hospital last week, and he is doing great, just working to regain a lot of lost muscle. So grateful I still have my Dad. He never ever smoked, was very active and healthy, and had no idea he had an aneurysm.
I once saw a person in the mall with a t-shirt that read "Eat healthy, Exercise, Die Anyway"... and this person was in good shape. As my friend's doctor put it - you are your best friend but sometimes things happen.
My husband was having an ultrasound of his kidneys and bladder and by chance, the person doing the ultrasound, found that he had an eight cm AAA. He had no symptoms but he had smoked for many years. When the vascular surgeon saw the ultrasound report, he said to his team,”Prep him for surgery, NOW!” He is doing fine since his surgery and we thank God everyday for that technician who found the AAA strictly by accident.
Amazing how many of these aneurysms are found during exams for other complaints. That’s scary! My dad was 70 and went to the ER with a complaint of severe constipation. Turns out he had a 8 cm descending aortic aneurysm. Had surgery the next day on the 3rd of July!! Here in the US that is not a good time to have surgery. ICU staffing is lower due to holiday leave, but he recovered and did well. He had smoked for 50 years. 10 years later he had laryngeal cancer. Don’t smoke!!!!!
May I ask how old your husband was when this happen? I'm about to be 40 at the end of this month and I've smoked for over 20 years and I've had a pulsating sensation in my stomach for the last 2 weeks but has not gone away
My surgeon was performing a hernia repair on the right side of my abdomen and he spotted a 7.5 cm AAA. He referred me to a vascular doctor who repaired that AAA. One overnight in the hospital and 13 years later, I am doing good. I see my vascular doctor every 6 months for an ultrasound. My readings have been around 3.9 cm. I was very lucky. I was 63 at that time.
My dad in 2021 at age 84 had a 15cm AAA. It did not rupture. He has a stint currently that has a tiny leak that needs to be fixed. Why it didn’t burst is a mystery. We were told this was one for the record books. The hospital actually asked for his case to be published in a medical journal. I’m very thankful as of this writing to still have him.
My grandma was just diagnosed with an aortic abdominal aneurysm, the docs said it was the largest they’ve ever seen (9cm). She’s 90, but otherwise healthy and active. Her doctor said surgery is too risky, so I’m wondering what her prognosis looks like. What did your dad do as far as interventions once he knew about the AAA?
@@blakeaaron5698 First of all prayers for your grandma. My dad basically was rushed into surgery when his 15 cm AAA was discovered. It's still unclear if his family doctor knew about the aneurysm and for how long was he watching it for. I never got a good answer as to did they know about it and at what measurement it may have been earlier. My dad had a stint graph that was inserted through his groin up into the stomach area where the aneurysm was. The procedure was pretty simple. He was home in 2 days. no pain really only some discomfort near the incision site in his leg. The open repair is the other option and that is a VERY major operation. Unfortunately the stent has developed what they call an endoleak. for the past 2 years they have been watching it. His surgical team here in Chicago is telling us that they may need to go back in and take the stent out and do the open repair to fix this thing for good. The open repair is typically done in younger patients because of the intense nature of the operation plus it cuts down dramatically on having complications like my dad is having now. We are not sure at this point is he can survived the surgery, but if this thing goes starts going south fast he may have no choice but to have the open repair. Where is she located? Do you have a level 1 trauma center close? We are fortunate to have some of the nation's best hospitals.
Hi doctors. In 2021 I was 32 weeks pregnant and with Covid and woke up with severe back pain. Rushed to the hospital, told me I have dissection from aorta all the way to my hip. Put me under, did Csection, closed me, opend my chest, replaced my valves and fixed my ruptured aorta. 13 hours surgery, 3 days induced coma and month in hospital after. ❤
I’m 80 years old and back In 2003 my urologist accidentally discovered my AAA. It took till June of 2010 to be large enough to place a complicated stent on it. It seems I needed a stent that looked like an upside down “Y”. The bottom of it went up towards the heart and the other two went down each leg. It was a delicate procedure that took hours to complete. There were 12 complications to consider that would kill me either on the operating table or right after. My only option was to have open surgery with a very large scar and a lot of pain. I just had my stent checked with ultrasound and everything was great as I passed my 13th anniversary of having it put in.
I have been an OR RN for 35yrs. On the CardioThoracic service. These are one of the scariest and toughest cases we can get. Time is of the essence. Challenging cases. Love positive outcomes. Thank you for the great information.
Do you know if having abdominal aorta calcification in the arteries and other arteries is a risk for AAA? Doctors know I have this but are not giving me any information on what I should do.
My grandma was just diagnosed with an aortic abdominal aneurysm, the docs said it was the largest they’ve ever seen (9cm). No symptoms. She’s 90, but otherwise healthy and active. Her doctor said surgery is too risky, so I’m wondering what her prognosis looks like.
At the time I was 67 years old. September of 2023. I felt a very sharp pain in my lower left side. I couldn't stand the pain either laying down, setting or standing. About 15 minutes after first feeling the pain I called 911. EMT's arrived about 10 minutes later. I walked out of my house; across my deck and down 4 steps. Laid down on the cart at the bottom of the steps and passed out. 4 days later I wake up in another town about 70 miles away. The EMT's took me to a hospital 15 minutes from my home but was life flighted to the other hospital. So I was later told. My aneurysm had ruptured. After 6 days I was taken to a rehab clinic and spent 4 months learning to walk, set up, everything all over. Here it is 7 months later and still in out patient rehab. I was opened up from right below my sternum to below my belt line. But I did live to tell my story. To anyone that has survived I wish you well. And those to whom lost someone my deepest condolences. Life can be cut short at any moment. Live ever day as if it is your last.......
My husband had 3 AAA at the same time. One in the stomach area and one in direction to both legs. They were 9 cm, 8 cm and 5 cm. Worst case the surgeon had seen. The never ruptured
Lost my mother to an AAA in 2004. Just about killed me from a broken heart. She was in surgery for many hours and they fought so hard to save her, they had just closed on her and doctor came out to talk to us, within a couple minutes a nurse rushed out and got him. I knew that very moment she was gone.... I miss her so so much, every moment of my life. The older I get, the harder it gets, I don't know why that is? Then in 2012 my husband was admitted to intensive care with one that had not ruptured. He had an amazing surgeon and team working on him, he has done very very well. He is 80 now. With other troubles of course. We take every day that we get.
So sorry for your loss. I lost my sister last year and I am so broken hearted. She was only 47. My uncle died because a clinic failed to take his pain seriously and his AAA had burst. It devastated the whole family. So glad your husband was saved, I hope your broken heart mends as you feel your mother’s love for you. I feel my sisters love and it helps.
My dad was saved AAA , the paramedic gave him the death punch to bring him back. At hospital DR N Hickey worked on him for 8hrs .it was touch & go . When he came out of op into ICU , we stayed for 24hrs . That time felt like yrs but he made it , a long recovery, when he came out of coma and was placed on a ward , he had healed left with a scar , he felt nothing . He lived for another 8yrs ❤
I really appreciate your channel and direct clear information. My mother had AAA discovered during an ultrasound for back pain. Very scary experience for her and us. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency open surgery and all her kids were called in. The doctor told us if it burst during surgery there was a good chance she would die. Turned out to be 11cm - The largest the doctor had seen that had not burst. We were thankful for a very skilled physician. I appreciate learning about it from you guys and I have been checked but will continue to be checked given the family history.
Hey Docs, I had this and for 3 years and it didn't grow or enlarge. I had to have ultra sounds every 3 to 6 months to make sure it was not growing, and then on one ultrasound appointment I was told the AAA had started to grow. I was setup for more test and it continued to grow. A couple days later got a call from my vascular surgeon to get to the hospital immediately. I was so scared but I made it. Two days later I was in surgery having 2 stints placed. Thanks to God and two great surgeons I am still here. That was over 8 years ago. I still get it checked every 6 months along with the stint I have in my left and right thigh. Yes I had two more. I have stopped smoking, lost weight and make sure I keep my ultrasound appointment every 6 month or earlier if I feel or think that something is up. Thank you for talking about the AAA. I am still scared but I pray a lot.
I had an aortic dissection at 43. There was no pain. Felt a burst in my chest, then instantly got light-headed and breathing became erratic. I was driving when it happened. Thankfully my oldest daughter and her friend were in the car with me, because it happened at 10 P.M. in the middle of an area of business offces and other commercial buildings where nobody was around. They drove me to the hospital from there. Her friend had literally just got her drivers license a couple weeks prior. If not for her, I wouldn't be here today.
That was very lucky. But even if kids don’t have a drivers license, at any age, if there is no other option but to let them drive you to the hospital because of the urgency, they could. First teach 911. Chances are they won’t get stopped. It’s just more important that you get help ASAP. So maybe it’s good to teach children how to drive (basics: here’s the gas pedal, the brake, drive, stops) and tell them if I’m dying you can drive to hospital, only in the most extreme case. If you Google it, they stopped a 5-year old driving from Utah to California!
I told a friend that I have an abdominal aortic aneurysm and he said that I should keep my phone very close, at night when I'm sleeping,etc...@@sstarklite2181
I’m an Australian woman, 66 years old with hypertension and heart disease, emphysema, quit smoking over 30 years ago and I have never had my doctor suggest I get screened for this. I will ask for the ultrasound just to be safe but I am really amazed that it’s not done routinely here as we are usually very strong on screening for potential health problems. I’m so happy I watch your videos and learn about these things. 😊
Hello I'm a 70 year old widowed man in California that just went through this ... I was so lucky it did not rupture... it was 9 cm What did they find when you had your sonogram done?
My interventional Cardiologist did perform “Coiling medical procedure “ on me as I was diagnosed with Abdominal Aneurysm. Am very grateful and glad that it was a success ‼️The procedure was performed >a year ago and had no complaints so far. Thank GOD I reached this far as I am now an Octogenarian with Pacemaker implant a few months after my “COILING PROCEDURE “. My regimen now is walking, eating healthy ( veggies 🥕, fruits 🍎, fish 🐟, no red meat 🥩 but poultry sparingly and prescribed medications ‼️Let’s stay healthy and stay safe always 🙏😀‼️
Thank you all for such an entertaining description of a serious topic. I have a close fried who went through several surgery's to repair a AAA where the Abdominal Aorta splits off in two directions. The follow on surgery was to repair leaks. He was able to get that all under control. A few years later he died of a heart attack. He was 70. RIP Joel.
One year before my 93 year old mother passed, a CT Scan showed an abdominal and aortic aneurysms. We never told her. She had so many other major health issues (stage 4 kidney failure) that passing from a ruptured aneurysm seemed like a blessing.
My mother in England had this issue and the doctors were aware of the aneurysm. It burst in the evening and my mother called the paramedics and told them she was leaving the front door open and laid flat on the floor. It was a stroke of luck that the chief vascular surgeon was at the local hospital and at 85 she survived the procedure. ❤️❤️
My dad had the AAA that burst. The bad pain he had prior to the bursting was as bad as kidney stone pain. He had the open surgery, was put into a medical coma for about a week. The surgeon told my Mom that he had a five percent chance of surviving because the burst was in a vertical direction and was long. He survived
Did he had bad abdominal pain before the rupture? My brother died after 3 weeks of very bad abdominal pain, 1 day before he had an appointment for an ultrasound. He felt bad, went to bed to rest for a bit and his wife heard him breathe strangely. I'm not sure he pased at home or on his way to the hospital but he didn't make it. He was very healthy, didn't smoke and ate healthy. I still mourn and not knowing what killed him makes it worse.
My pal had this diagnosis. He determined that hee had accomplished what he needed to in life. He was deeply religious and did not let the doctors into his 76 year old body. He was at peace and passed on to heaven on Thanksgiving day.
AAA is something like a ‘silent killer’ but you two fab Docs and Dr Chan explained, clearly, what it is and the treatments available. The video was presented in an informative and interesting way, as usual, and interspersed with your wonderful sense of humour. I think this video should be shared with as many people as possible
I have an AAA which is being monitored. I came across your video which I found very informative, and easy to understand with the absence of any morbidity tone to it. It was enjoyable to watch the interaction between you and your colleagues covering a serious subject and the absence of morbidity element to it.Thank you.
@1:13 I concur the AAA is the most common, however, not the one I had to have repaired 10 years ago. I remember researching all of this 10 years ago, and the part of my aorta that needed repair was the Ascending. And, when I was talking this over with my surgeon he indicated to me that with the TAA repair the only patients they generally get is the dying and the dead. My aneurysm was 5.4-cm, and I opted to go straight to surgery which given the odds of 57% mortality to 7% or less. Some symptoms I had were: fatigue, excessive sweating, to name a couple.
This video needs to be in a playlist with all your other heart related ones for an easy reference. It's such an important topic but never gets the coverage it should. So many have died from an aortic rupture 😢
In my 16 year career on my local Ambulance service I responded to 2 of them. Unfortunately the 1st patient had been deceased for at least an hour probably more. A neighbor stoped in to see him & discovered him on the bathroom floor & called 911. The 2nd was a man who the wife stated “he stumbled & went down to the floor as he was coming in the door”. My partner & I were thinking Cardiac. As rescue was leaving I stood & was observing the patients abdomen. It was noticeably getting larger. I spoke softly to my partner & said “ this is a load & go NOW’. As we entered the ER I looked at the RN & motioned to my stomach & said it’s getting bigger. She understood immediately & patient was sent to X-Ray STAT. He indeed had a Triple AAA. He was treated immediately & went on to have 5 more years with his family.
You guys provide great information in all of your videos. Your presentation style is delightful. This one in particular was intriguing because it hit so close to home. Thank you to all three of you for a high quality, highly informative and entertaining presentation.
Thank you for this. I have this and I’ve learnt more from you than my actual doctors. I understand so much more about my condition now and how it’s treated ❤
Had an ascending aortic aneurysm at 33 in 2021. Got the open heart to get a dacron graft and a St. Jude's valve. I never smoked habitually, but I did grow up around smokers. I'm overweight but fairly active. Still kicking, still living my life. Biggest changes are that I need to eat a set a amount of broccoli everyday and I have to take some pills everyday.
Great informative video, I watched this video after I had a ruptured AAA earlier this year. When they found the AAA during the CT scan, they also found an Aortic Root Aneurysm, i had open heart surgery 8 weeks after the AAA surgery.
You guys provide great information in all of your videos. I am 62 years old and type 2 diabetics, two weeks ago I had a routine cardiovascular stress test in my local NHS hospital. During the ultrasound test, technician called the consultant and wanted to inject dye to my vein to see better. After the dye injection and 15 minute intensive treadmill exercise they scan the abdominal region and took number of ultrasound pictures and told me to put my jacket on and I can go. I asked them if everything is ok? They told me that they cant say anything to me, they are going to send results to my GP. I asked them if I carry on exercising as usual? He said that in the mean time yes!! The only think I heard when they are talking between them is " Border line" Two weeks passed and heard nothing from my local GP, Today I was trying to find out what it could be and I come across you video about AAA and I think there is a great chance that I have one.
My dad (heavy smoker) was diagnosed with AAA almost 4yrs ago. He also had a nefrectomy couple of years before so we've been afraid if his organism can withstand another big surgery. But last year when this malformation was about 6.5cm he had no choice and overcame a major surgery made by one of the best specialist in my country. This part of the vein was cut off and replaced by some "Y" shaped artificial vein. He's still recovering slowly but getting better. Thank you Docs for what you doing, for all this "inside" knowledge you share with us here and for helping people all over the world. Episode about glaucoma was also very helpful for my mom. Can't even express how grateful we are. THANK YOU !
So glad to hear your dad is ok. And also glad to hear we can help in any small way. It’s hard to get medical information these days. Doing our best to get it out there!
My dad had a AAA blow out. His symptom was nausea. He was a chain smoker all his life. Was in his early 70s. Rushed to hospital. Doctors made a fast diagnosis and started transfusions. Rushed to Vancouver General, where surgical team was waiting. 18 units of blood while en route and 7 hours in surgery. He pulled through. Surgeon said he was 1 in 2 million considering the severity and it was only because the ER doctor at the local hospital knew what was up, started transfusion and got on the phone to VGH to get them prepared. He made a full recovery, and lived another 8 years until the smoking finally caught up with him. Bloody coffin nails.
@@TalkingWithDocs he was very lucky. He also recovered from a stroke but in the end, the coffin nails got him. Even after quitting while in hospital, some idiot friend or relative would offer him a smoke for old time sake and he was hooked again. COPD thought he was going to cough up a lung some times. Died with a cigarette in his mouth, the way he always wanted to go.
I had an AAA repair done in 2020 at 76 years of age. No stress, all went well. I also lost about 40 pounds in the process. The operation took 5 days in the hospital. Great room service. A problem started 6 months after that when suddenly my food would not go down and my BP went sky high. After a short ambulance ride to the local hospital and a CT scan there, I was told by a lovely surgeon that scar tissue from the aortic repair got attached to my small intestine. After pumping out by stomach for several days we decided that I would be opened up again and fixed. During that time, I was also tested for COVID-19 and the possible infection by antibiotic resistant bacteria that I may have picked up in the previous hospital. So, all together, all went well other than that I gained 25 pounds back.
I had a triple A operation in January. Everything went A-ok, never felt better. Only problem was I also have high blood pressure, and my before surgery medication was too much and gave me an attack of really low blood pressure. Went into emergency and the emergency doctor cut my blood pressure meds in half. That's how much my blood flow increased because of the triple A operation. Now my blood pressure is near normal, and here's a biggy: my diabetes 2 is now normal for my age.
My oldest brother died from an AAA at 59 years old, during his dialysis treatment. His doctors knew he had one, but...he also had multiple myeloma and related kidney failure, and the doctor wouldn't operate on him saying he wouldn't make it alive off the table. What a beast of a disease multiple myeloma is, then to have all that on top of it. Curiously, my father also had problems, had to have a bypass surgery, so I wonder how much of a genetic component there is.
Hi, my family has a genetic history of aortic valve issues. My Mom's brother died at 36 if a aortic valve dissection. His brother at age 60 needed his repaired with a patch. Their only sister (my mom) died suddenly at 72 of a heart attack. Same goes for my first husband he died at 42 as well as his brother age 44 due to a genetic defect from their mom.
@@TalkingWithDocs I have been screened, scanned, poked, prodded, etc...during diagnostics for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, when I had a left leg long DVT & subsequent PE, after a TIA scare, and other medical conditions I've had. I am guessing an AAA or any abnormalities would appear on an ultrasound or 🐱scan? Thank y'all for the great info and the humor! Much appreciated!
I took care of my ex-husband before and after placement of an endoluminal bifracted graft (custom made). It was the beginning of the Covid lockdowns here in the States. He had two AAAs and poor circulation to one kidney. It took close to a year to get him into see a top vascular surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is alive and doing well. On the other hand, my mother passed in 2004 several months after surgery for an AAA. Her world renound vascular surgeon was adamant regarding the fact 8 years of being on warafin caused the AAA. Now if you have a DVT or PE you are no longer placed on lifelong warfarin as she was. Treatment time to be on warafin is now only 6 months due to the very real issue of it causing AAAs. I've seen this from both sides now - one a survivor and one deceased. I remain amazed at how quickly this field advanced between my mom and my ex-husband. Take care of yourself everyone. The body keeps count even if you don't.
Great teaching video. My father had an 8 cm AAA which was successfully repaired. In addition I worked for 30 years running the office of a vascular surgeon Eugene Bernstein who was known for these repairs. A lot of new technology has developed since he passed away which is great.
My mom passed on from this. When she was suffering severe back pain, she persevered until it became unbearable and she went to the hospital where they found the bulge which had not yet ruptured. It apparently did rupture and she passed on. At the time I honestly did not realize the jeopardy she was in. I genuinely believed the doctors had a handle on it.
I worked with a great nurse who diagnosed a AAA in a medical patient. She was smart, observant and knowledgeable. Lucky patients!!! He had surgery, and went home cured. Yeah Polly Dunn!! A. One Nurse RIP. Dear.😊
Polly was a quiet strong woman. Raised 5 children..worked full time. I always listened to her.. nurses do save many lives. I am lucia Robs wife. I know docs respected her. I am 74, worked at Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest IL. many many years ago.. great people live forever in your mind and heart...watch the quiet ones.. they hold a great deal. Lucia : )
I had an aorta dissection in 2011. It was from my heart down to the dividing point. After 8 months, we found a vascular surgeon who could do the long stent. I get a ct scan every year, because of the small aneurysm at the end. God is always Good!
Oh definitely Sasquatch! My mom was diagnosed with the abdominal aneurysm and was sent home and into hospice...she was thrown out of hospice 6 months later and ended up a couple of years later passing from late-onset leukemia (the doc took away her drivers license relieving my sister and I of having to have the "you need to stop driving" conversation!). So, I have a family history but I've found that (as Paul says) that I've had to push to get the ultrasounds done now twice over 10 years...thankfully nothing unusual. Thanks for another great informative session!
My dad was misdiagnosed 2 times. Went to emergency twice with excruciating pain in chest and abdominal area. They sent him home saying it was pneumonia. After leaving er the second time, he got home and collapsed in the living room from the pain. Mom called paramedic and rushed him to different hospital. Those Dr's knew in 15 minutes what was happening. Life flighted him to a hospital that could handle emergency surgery on christmas eve. His aorta had been leaking. He made it through surgery, but had to have more surgery to close incision. He was in critical care for 2 weeks and passed away. He was 80.
Excellent advice, my smoker Father had AAA open repair at 65 picked up from screening, lasted till he died at 83 from other causes. His brother, a smoker, sent for scan, refused repair, died suddenly from it at 62. Me, a non smoker, not even a pack, missed my screening at 65, so video has reminded me to get a private AAA screen. Great to see modern method of repair, 3D printing a personalised stent is excellent use of technology. Should have had one of those warnings about graphic content before showing Dr Zalzal’s scan - but thanks so much for sharing.
We had a cousin who died of AAA at age 47. He was obese and a smoker. He was dead before the ambulance made it to the hospital. Take your health seriously!
I have to tell you I so appreciate anyone wishing and willing to be a vascular surgeon. My husbands 7.5cm AAA diagnosis was withheld from us by our GP for almost a year. I discovered the report while filing away some papers my husband had brought home. WIthin 3 days, after firing our GP, my husband went in for endovascular repair for that aneurysm and two more smaller ones, one on each iliac. We haven’t taken a day for granted since.
My dad had AAA it was found during ultrasound. He was told they would just watch it. I tried to get him to get a second opinion, but he didn’t ever do it. It ruptured probably 6 to 7 years later and had emergency surgery. He survived but was paralyzed from mid waist down. Two doctors worked on him for at least 6 hours. I am thankful that we had 5 more months with him.
My father died of a ruptured AAA. I had a screening aortagram last summer and was relieved to see mine was normal. Never smoked. Father was a heavy smoker.
Three years ago I had some chest pain when breathing in. Went to the VA told me I was fine sent me home . A year later after a per surgery screening for a hip replacement which I shill haven’t had yet I was diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysm, 4.2 now it’s been monitored for every six months with EKG. However, I’ve learned more than 20 minutes about my condition in the last Few years speaking of my Cardiologist , so thank you for making this video.
This was the Best video yet!! I've never heard of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Very interesting. And thank you, Dr. Zalzal for being brave enough to show us the sweater!! 😂 And I'm truly surprised that Dr. Weening ever put a cigarette to his lips!! 😋 Thank you, Dr. Chan! I'll bet you had no idea what you were getting into!! 🤣 Loved the video, Docs!!! 🤣🤣💙
I just had a aortic femoral bypass at the age of 50. Today is 8 weeks since the surgery, I had my abdomen ultrasound today and my vascular surgeon released me to return to work with no restrictions. I have some discomfort in my groin area. My legs would go numb as if I had sciatica. I had a MRI done showing I have 2 herniated and a thought that was my problem until I started urinating myself after my legs went numb. The pain felt like I had DVT again. Three trips to the hospital by ambulance then the last trip my foot pain was so bad they did a CT and found the clot. I was lucky
I know 2 ppl that had them, they both survived. One was on the operating table for something else when the gasket blew and the other lived next to a firehouse.. he was there in less than 2 minutes from when he started feeling symptoms. Both very fortunate.
In Spain the guideline used in abdominal aorta diameter before operating is 6cm. Put simply they will not operate before it reaches 6cm. Thanks for a very informative video including Dr Chans lovely smile.
I survived a pulmonary embolism in 2017 at 66. It covered 80% of my lungs. I was in ICU for 5 nights. Thanks especially to the doctors and nurses at Vincent Palotti Hospital in Cape Town. I have also survived Rheumatic fever. Current age 72. I don't drink, never have alergic to alcohol. I don't smoke never have but people in the office did.
@@TalkingWithDocs I spoke to my skin specialist who said the embolism may have been caused by a piece of a scab, which currently is causing cellulitis on a leg which was shortened before I was 6 years old. The operating left my ankle 1.5 cm short. But I walk normally. I have a full medical checkup every 6 months
That Dr Chan, she’s got a great personality. My brother in law in the UK, at 65 was automatically summoned to the doctors office to be checked for AAA. Apparently that is the UK standard protocol. My doctor (Canada) just listened to my abdomen etc and declared me to be OK. After watching this I’m thinking maybe I should get an ultrasound just out of an abundance of caution if nothing else.
my best friend has a AAA and she is very scared. it is being monitored, but she wishes she could just get it repaired. I am going to share this video with her!! and yes - something else we can't unsee. Dr. Z could donate some of that hair to locks of love!!!!! :) Thanks for another great video.
I had a heart attack at age 55. They tried to do a cath thru my groin. This is when they found my abdominal aneurysm. I had no idea. The heart attack actually saved ny life.
I have this type of aneurysm so my doctor and I are keeping a close watch on it to see when I need the operation. Thanks cause I was worried about this but now I know the surgery is not too bad.
My father survived his bursting around 80 miles from nearest hospital. By sheer chance when he was rushed in the expert in hospital for this type of condition was finishing his shift and realised straight away what it was simply from my dad having told paramedics he had pain in his left testicle. Emergency surgery followed by 6 weeks in hospital but he made a full recovery. I had never heard of a AAA until got a call from my mum to say my dad was in hospital with an aneurysm and that is not a nice word to hear. Since then found out 3 people I know including 1 neighbour lost family to AAA.
My oldest brother died of AAA 4" tear painfully and a bit slowly, 4 days ignoring pain after constipation episode, past heavy smoker 61 yoa; father 59 yoa, massive heart attack after constipation episode, long history atherosclerosis; second oldest brother brain aneurysm after constipation episode 52 yoa. Heavy smoking history for all. Myself young heavy smoker, quit by 20 yoa, only person in family to be health and fitness freak through younger years, no constipation issues, heart attack 65 yoa self-detected and walked to hospital, 1 stent and no other acute indications but one at 30% block. After several months I was back to pre-levels. But 70 now and in spite of a recent full physical with all bloodwork, ekg, psa, etc in normal ranges - as always - I'm recently getting a lot of symptoms and my search brought me here. Definitely motivated to do a walk-in on Monday.Your info videos are priceless.
I once had a coworker who was always comical. Everyone loved working with her. When one of our male coworkers walked by us she noticed his hairy arm and she commented on his nice sweater. Without blinking an eye he said “I have pants like that too” She turned beet red. Such were the sixties. We were more modest then. 😮
All men in their 65th year are called for a scan in the UK. For someone with a small aneurysm we monitor men every year and when it reaches 4.5cm we see them every 3 months. At 5.5cm they go straight to the surgeons. It's a great screening programme so do attend when you get called
@@TalkingWithDocs I work as a screening tech in the service so I know how important screening is. If anyone over 65 has missed their screening they can phone the local programme and get an appointment.
I currently have a AAA at 4.6 cm. I’m being tested right now and have been told to monitor my blood pressure and get the aneurysm checked every 3-6 months to watch growth. It’s due to over a decade of mistreated severe hypertension (that turned out to be adrenal gland / aldosterone/renin issues). Now the goal is to slow the growth and lower my blood pressure. Somehow. That alone stresses me out. I have 4 daughters I can’t even think of leaving 🥺☹️😔
Retired Nurse!!! I just love watching you guys!!! Adding a little humor is what all Health Care a works have to do to Survive mentally in this field !! Love your Informative Videos with a Twist of Hilarious!!🤣💕🙏🏼
My cousin passed away from this in his early 20s he never did smoke, he kept going back to the doctor’s telling them he had really bad back pain and they kept dismissing it, his ruptured at his dads house with his 2 sisters there when it happened them both being nurses called 911 immediately he unfortunately lost to much blood by the time the ambulance got there.
I have known two men who died from an abdominal aneurism, one was the family doctor for our small City. He was convinced he needed an appendectomy. Huge loss to his family and our entire community.
Thanks for the great video and information my AAA was found many years ago and didn’t change for last ten years so I’m going to ask my doctor for another ultrasound as I’m now 84 and just had 4 stents put into my heart arteries a month and half ago and a pacemaker defibrillator last Christmas it’s time to have my AAA assessed again. Thanks for your wonderful video. My Dad died of AAA when he collapsed after giving a lecture in the early 60s he was an orthopaedic surgeon.
My dad was at a routine office visit and his doctor noticed a difference in the pulse in his leg and neck. He went right to the hospital. It was a miracle it had not ruptured . He had successful surgery. and lived for many more years.
In january 2022, my stepmother had a AAA, the mesentric one. She thought it was an indigestion at first so they waited way too long. She was put in induced coma, all organs started to shut down, almost lost her fingers and toes to the lack of oxygen, had multiple surgeries to remove 90% of her intestines that were necrosed. Luckily, she survived and can function well, but it was literal hell.
I have a big Aorta root aneurysm myself and watching this video has made it really helpful for me to understand of what is and what will happend if mines was to rupture. I don’t stress as much but I do get really emotional at times. The only thing I would feel is chest pains and real bad abdominal pains.
One of our good friends (age 57) had some back and side pain, and their doctor thought it was just a "kidney stone" - sent him home. Two days later he passed, from AAA.😢
Almost every relative of mine has died from a triple a….when my family doctor was told he immediately sent me for an ultrasound…so far so good…but the genetic factor is very strong.
I had a type A aortic dissection emergencies surgery 14 yrs ago Dr. Gilbert and Dr song of Oregon Health and Science hospital, they saved my life, God Bless these surgeons, I'm from wa and there was only 1man that could have performed the surgery, so they flew me to Oregon. I was born with a bicuspid heart.
I’m having surgery for my AAA next Thursday. My triple A was found by accident in 2016 when having an ultrasound scan on my kidneys because of unexplained bleeding in my urine. (Fortunately this was due to a collection of benign cells at the tip of my urethra, so not life threatening). Since then I have had bi annual ultrasounds until this year when it was found to have grown significantly to 5.5cm I have familial hypercholestrolemia & there is heart disease in the family, no hypertension & have not smoked. I am a 5 ‘1” 70 year old female & was astonished to learn that in the UK, males over 65 are routinely offered a scan, but females are not! I’ve been told that most females who learn they have a AAA are picked up when being scanned for other issues. I am scared, but have faith in my vascular team to take the best care & deliver me back to normal next week. 🙏
My one sister died of an aortic aneurysm and I have a brother that barely survived an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The doctor in London told all of us to be tested.
Sleep apnea was not mentioned in your video or comment section. My Dad died at 83 from ruptured AA. He had an event and during the surgery they discovered that there was not enough good tissue to perform the procedure. He did smoke for 10 years when younger and was slightly overweight. He snored enough that he was in a separate bedroom for years. He had sleep apnea that was never addressed and I think that the many years of spiking blood pressure due to sleep apnea contributed to stretching of his aorta. I developed sleep apnea in late 50's and quickly ended up on a CPAP. I did have a scan at 60 and will be having another this year as I turn 70. My sleep was remarkedly better after CPAP. Do you think sleep apnea can be a trigger over time? As per many comments, great interaction from your team. It would be great to have had teachers like you and your guests.
When i first met my doctor she was quite alarmed by the strong pulse which could be heard and felt in my abdomen. She sent me off for an ultrasound, suspecting an abdominal aortic aneurism. Everything looked good. It turns out that I'm one of her only slender, fit patients. The vast majority of people around here are overweight and their abdominal (and visceral) fat muffles the sound of that arterial flow. She just wasn't accustomed to hearing that sound in a patient! Obviously I was relieved.
@@TalkingWithDocs yep, my doctor got freaked out because I'm also thin but she swore she was right😂 doctors are only human:) very smart humans! thanks for all you do!
