Question: I am a 59 year old male. After a recent echocardiogram (one of many I have over the last 40 years) to monitor my bicuspid aortic valve, my cardiologist ordered a CT scan of my chest to determine the size of my aorta. I received a report over the phone and was told I have a mild fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta measuring up to 4.2 cm, and that the cardiologist would continue to monitor me with echocardiograms (probably on an annual basis). I was not told of any lung problems over the phone, but now that I have a copy of the report it also says "there are chronic interstitial changes and some dependent interstitial markings without focal consolidation, pneumothorax or pleural effusion." After reading about interstitial lung disease on the internet, I don't understand why neither my primary physician nor my cardiologist even mentioned any lung problems to me after the CT scan. I have no shortness of breath or any other symptoms despite going to the gym nearly every day for cardio and strength exercise. Should I be worried about these findings?

I have never smoked. It has been a while since I had any lung tests, probably over six years, but at that time I had excellent lung function (much better than average). My cardiologist told me to do brisk walks (rather than running) because of aortic stenosis. Yesterday, I spent over an hour on a treadmill at over 4 miles per hour without any significantly elevated breathing or discomfort. The only serious infection that I am aware of is strep throat as a child. Could that or something else from long ago have caused what was noted on the scan? Other than the heart condition I have mentioned (which has not caused me any symptoms), I don't know of any other health issues. Do these types of lung changes always get worse, or can they remain stable over a long period of time?

I have never had any workplace exposure except for second hand smoking from coworkers before smoking was banned in the workplace. I also had second hand smoking exposure from relatives and friends outside the workplace but not in the home. You said "if it is true ILD...". How can a doctor determine if it is true ILD or something else? What else could it be?