My primary care doctor ordered a scan for me many years ago, after I had been smoking for about 40 years. The results were negative for disease. Fast forward two years, and my doctor ordered a repeat scan. This time, the radiologist identified an aneurysm in my ascending aorta. Further tests revealed I also had a bicuspid aortic valve.
After two years of monitoring both issues, the valve started leaking severely, and the aneurysm grew to the maximum size that required surgery. I had the valve replaced and the aneurysm repaired.
Since then, two additional aneurysms have been found: one in my descending aorta and one in my abdomen. The descending aortic aneurysm was repaired in February 2024, and the abdominal aneurysm is being monitored, as it is currently stable.
I had no symptoms at all for any of this, and I truly believe the low-dose scan saved my life.
