Question:

I had a chest xray performed and they found Aortic Ectasia and calcification but no acute infiltrate, atelectasis or effusion. My PCP is doing nothing further nor did he refer me to see a heart doctor. What should I do?

I had a chest xray performed and they found Aortic Ectasia and calcification but no acute infiltrate, atelectasis or effusion. My PCP is doing nothing further nor did he refer me to see a heart doctor. What should I do?

Submitted by Terri from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Answer:
by Maher M. Nasser, MD

Aortic Ectasia is common as we age, and commonly an incidental finding on chest X-Ray.

It usually does not require further testing.

Good control of BP if the patient has hypertension is important as Aortic Ectasia is seen more in hypertensive people.

Regards.