Besides managing BP, what else can slow the growth rate?

This is exactly the advice my cardiologist gave me. After the exercise, and checking your BP a few times, you can continue to do it if your BP doesn’t spike. If it does spike, don’t continue to do that activity.

No ,she (cardiologist) said wasn't sure about. Something.
I was kind number when heard about the aneurysm so I didn't ask what she
wasn't sure of.
Went home decided to phone to see if I could get a more clear answer.
The clinic said I already a consult. And didn't need one. I assume they
to do the nuclear stress test. So another cardiologist to follow p my
aneurysm in April will discuss with.

Thanks for your time

My cardiologist looked at my stress echocardiogram to see how my blood pressure rises as my heart rate goes up. Using that, he told me that I should be fine up to 140 beats per minute. I wear a heart monitor when I work out so that’s an easy upper limit to avoid. The exercise physiologist I met with really emphasized the need to breathe (don’t hold breath!) when lifting or straining. And to to just not lift things that cause too much strain. I asked about luggage since my bags typically weigh 50 lbs and my wife’s as much as 70 lbs. He said I could probably manage them if I really focused on technique. (Letting them fall, sliding them up, positioning my body so it’s not a strain, and breathing all the time).

I had a dissection at 4.5cm. I had only known about my aneurism for a year. It was 4 cm when discovered. I have been told not to lift, push, or pull anything that would cause me to hold my breath, strain, grunt, anything like that. Remember I have had the surgery. After surgery my BP were what they considered a little high. After 6 months they added Metropol by 1/2 tablet and said they wanted my BP below 120/80. I didn't have high BP before but since I had surgery they didn't want it in the 130's or higher. I have been doing well. I hope this helps you. Best wishes.

Luggage today is on wheels with a long handle. It’s been years since a person had to carry luggage by a handle.

I think you missed my point. with this condition- for me- i have to be much more mindful about spiking my blood pressure by doing things that in th e past i didnt give a second thought to. for example, i still have to lift my luggage into the trunk of my car- and generally i would lift it to put it on a luggage rack in my hotel room. i am capable of doing both easily- but now I am much more careful about how i do it. i slide it up and keep it close to my body and do it slowly and breathe deeply. I’m a big physically fit guy, and the exercise physiologist made it clear to me that i need to get comfortable saying, “ i can’t help move the couch- I have an aneurysm in my heart and i cant spike my blood pressure.”. He says that many patients he works with are embarrassed and just so things like that to avoid looking lazy. the real point is that Many of is can exercise somewhat vigorously and raise out blood pressure- bit we cant do things that cause it to spike or cause sudden increased pressure on the aorta.

Question please: /what style of surgery did you have and what was the recovery like? Thank you.

You mention you met with an exercise physiologist. Is that different from a physical therapist? Did your cardiologist make the referral? What did the therapist help you with? Sounds like something that could be helpful to me as I navigate this new way of being. Thanks in advance.

If you’re taking beta blockers the pressure hitting the aortic root and ascending aortia is greatly reduced. Not saying it is ok to go heavy on weight lifting. I guess heavy is relative. My surgeon and my cardio doc support me lifting and riding mountain bike. Breathing correct is very important of course. I am 62 - 215 5,10 1/2 with a 4.3 aortic root. I lift weights 2-3 times a week..bench for example on machine 100 -125 pounds 15-20 rep 4 set’s instead of going heavier each set to failure. Ride my mtn bike same 2-3 times per week for 60 min average heart rate 125-130 less than 100 when I lift. Not ideal to lift light but better than not working out

My AAA was discovered as I was being prepped for leg fracture surgery, fell of my MTB. Mine was already very large when found (5.2 and I am short 5' 6", 55 when it happened 4 years ago) and needed to be taken care of fairly soon. I had to wait while my leg healed enough for me to walk after heart surgery, but I kept working out, just that I had to take it way easy as any spike would have been catastrophic.

Even now after surgery, my Cardiologist tells me that there is a chance (small) the area of the aorta after the graft may swell and need to watch my BP. I work out frequently but as you, I use challenging weights but not excesive, and just do more reps. I'm also back on my MTB and do several spinning and strength classes every week. I practice proper breathing continually to ensure I am not holding my breath. I get check ups every year (Echo's) mainly to watch my aortic valve (bicuspid) but also the aorta itself, and get full scans every 5 years (groin, abdomen, torax and head) as I also had a brain aneurysm (also fixed).