Yes, the aortic root measure of 4cm is serious, and means that they feel you are at higher risk for developing an aortic aneurysm. Since you have not reached the size that requires surgery, they are trying to treat you medically, which includes keeping the blood pressure down to normal to slightly below normal levels.
I would contact your doctor is this case and tell him you are having black-out/fainting spells with the medication. A heart rate of 49 is low for the vast majority of people. The medication dose may be too high causing your heart rate to not be high enough to maintain normal function. There are multiple other medications that can be used to reduce your BP without the massive heart rate drop.
It is not normal, nor should you hope/wait that your body adjusts to it. Passing out from a medication is dangerous, and do you want to take a risk that it happens once while you are driving/walking/out in public etc. CAll your doctor and tell him/her you are having spells of blacking out/passing out/dizziness so that they can change your dose or change the medication completely.
If you have one, have someone (or yourself) check both your blood pressure and heart rate during one of the spells you can relay the information to your doctor.
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Nov 09, 1999 12:00AM
The aortic root is the portion of the aorta just above the heart. It is normally 2-3 cm. Surgery is usually considered at about 5cm but possibly before if it is enlarging. The only way to know if it is enlarging is to follow with serial echos usually 6 mo to a year apart. There are no associated symptoms and it is not related to pulmonary sarcoidosis.
In addition to Allen’s excellent response, I’ll just tell you that the weakness and fainting sensations will subside over the near future. Your body will adjust to the new blood pressure, and you’ll feel back to normal in a few weeks’ time. Meanwhile, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully for following up on those aortic measurements. If they continue to grow, then you may require a surgical correction. It’s not pleasant surgery, but then, neither is sudden death.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, the aortic root measure of 4cm is serious, and means that they feel you are at higher risk for developing an aortic aneurysm. Since you have not reached the size that requires surgery, they are trying to treat you medically, which includes keeping the blood pressure down to normal to slightly below normal levels.
I would contact your doctor is this case and tell him you are having black-out/fainting spells with the medication. A heart rate of 49 is low for the vast majority of people. The medication dose may be too high causing your heart rate to not be high enough to maintain normal function. There are multiple other medications that can be used to reduce your BP without the massive heart rate drop.
It is not normal, nor should you hope/wait that your body adjusts to it. Passing out from a medication is dangerous, and do you want to take a risk that it happens once while you are driving/walking/out in public etc. CAll your doctor and tell him/her you are having spells of blacking out/passing out/dizziness so that they can change your dose or change the medication completely.
If you have one, have someone (or yourself) check both your blood pressure and heart rate during one of the spells you can relay the information to your doctor.
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Nov 09, 1999 12:00AM
The aortic root is the portion of the aorta just above the heart. It is normally 2-3 cm. Surgery is usually considered at about 5cm but possibly before if it is enlarging. The only way to know if it is enlarging is to follow with serial echos usually 6 mo to a year apart. There are no associated symptoms and it is not related to pulmonary sarcoidosis.
In addition to Allen’s excellent response, I’ll just tell you that the weakness and fainting sensations will subside over the near future. Your body will adjust to the new blood pressure, and you’ll feel back to normal in a few weeks’ time. Meanwhile, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully for following up on those aortic measurements. If they continue to grow, then you may require a surgical correction. It’s not pleasant surgery, but then, neither is sudden death.