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Exercise and Infrared Sauna with Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
I began going to my local Planet Fitness back in 2019, just pre-pandemic. Never used a conventional gym before, I found and stuck with the 30 minute circuit room, and the cardio on the treadmill or stair machines.
This past March on a routine Calcium Score test, it was found that I have a 4.5 x 4.5 Aortic Aneurysm.
As we all know, Aneurysms are often genetic; and in my case it is. My Father had two, and died from the second. My youngest nephew also has one.
I have a cardiologist now, who told me that high heart rates and high blood pressure are enemies to aneurysms; and to continue exercising, but to keep my heart rate
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Thank you for your response!
Unfortunately, I have a Cardiologist that is incredibly difficult to reach. So, I'm going to use my Yoga experience to pay closer attention to my body.
This is what I've experienced as well. I was kickboxing 5 to 7 times a week hr hitting the 160s 170s. My dr has told me not to go above 140 max and no weight above 70lbs
Hi how do you monitor your blood pressure when excercising.. do you where a watch? Please let me know as I just joined the y and need to monitor this as well.
What app are you using?
Thank you!!
Hi how do you monitor your blood pressure when excercising.. do you where a watch? Please let me know as I just joined the y and need to monitor this as well.
What app are you using?
Thank you!!
I too want to go into the sauna and not sure about it
Did your surgery involve a graft? I had an ascending aortic aneurysm repair in 2019 (open heart), and before surgery I was told to control exercises mainly to maintain BP in check, high BP is the worst enemy of aneurysms. The main concern with strength exercises is that people tend to hold their breath while lifting or straining, and that raises BP. I was in very good physical shape and exercise frequently.
Fast forward 4 years since the surgery I am back at full workouts, biking, strength training, never with excesive weights but challlenging, enough to keep me in shape. My cardiologyst hasn't told me to stop but he is concerned about keeping BP in check. I guess based on your feedback I will ask again, I am seeing him in a couple of weeks.
My family also has a genetic propensity to aneuryms, most have been brain, including myself (had one repaired) and my brother. I believe his concern with BP is to prevent new ones from forming. I had a full body scan 2 years ago and for now, I don't have any other ones.
I have no family genetics and I had no health problems. My BMI is on the line. I have always been very active. I have 3 grafts and a stent (12 hour surgery). It was an emergency. I had no warning signs. My aneurysm grew from 4 (found about one year before surgery to 4.5 at the time of surgery). All very sudden. I have to keep my BP down and no heavy lifting - nothing where I grunt, strain, hold my breath, I watch what I carry in for groceries, no longer saddle my horse, repair fence, lift logs or rocks to give you an example. I do lift small hand weights, water areobics, walking, and bike. I still ride my jet ski. I turned 70 in December. I understand the worst thing a person can do is lift something too heavy that causes a sudden burst of blood in the lining of the aorta which cause pressure on the lumens (lining) which may be weak. The other thing is keep the BP under control.
Best wishes!
My Uncle died of an aortic aneurysm and my first cousin has had a transplant. Have any of you had genetic testing done? I have a tortuous aorta that appeared on several x-rays but I’ve had a bypass and none of my cardiologists have mentioned it.
I wear a Fitbit I don't monitor BP during exercise but I do watch the heart rate. My doctor gave me a stress test in December he said all looked good. Perhaps you should have one as well that is the gold standard to see how well the blood flows and how your hear responds during high energy exercise. The only numbers my doctor gave me was my blood pressure he wants it below 130/80 which it is well within those limits. For moderate-intensity physical activity, your target heart rate should be between 64% and 76% of your maximum heart rate. You can estimate your maximum heart rate based on your age. To estimate your maximum age-related heart rate, subtract your age from 220.
Thank you for your reply! Yes had a stress test few months back.. all good. Great info thank you ... want to manage when excercising!! I need to be mindful not to hold my breath
when doing some excercises Best!
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1 ReactionMy doctor told me no restrictions on exercise and didn’t mention anything about lifting restrictions… I’ve seen an incredibly wide range of restrictions on this blog that people say their doctors have given them. Has anyone seen any written guidelines or research that is from a consensus point of view? I would think that there would be way to categorize restrictions dependent on each patient’s situation (size of aneurysm, age, physical health condition, Blood pressure, etc) Looking at comments across this site it seems that the restrictions are more doctor specific than patient specific. Thoughts?