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

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.

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).

Do you happen to know if having an aortic aneurysms makes you more susceptible to other areas of the body such as the brain.?

This is in reply to Bryan Fox: Is there anything more I can do to stop the growth.... I to have struggled with that question. My growth rate was measured at 4.4 (it was growing) and appears to have stabilized at a smaller 4.3. It was a Reassuring scan. I started taking collagen types 1 and 3, because I wanted to do "something". My BP is low, I have 0 CAD, I exercise regularly, no tobacco, and eat a plant based diet. I have been diagnosed with Familial TAAD. Its a good one to research for all with unexplained aneurysms. I do not have any of the known genetic markers, but that does not change my diagnosis of familial TAAD. There are numerous etiologies for ascending aneurysms, some of which can trigger aneurysms in other parts of the body, with only some showing the known genetic markers. As for me, I dont know if my collagen supplement makes any difference. It is a player in the integrity of the vascular wall and in the complex nitrous oxide exchange process, especially in some of the genetic anomalies associated with aneurysm disease. Too much for my brain! But this simple non-invasive daily act makes me feel a bit more in control. Plus my measurement appears to have stabilized after a year of using this supplement. So I plan to continue my behavioral interventions, including the supplement, and try to stay informed the best I can. However, everyone with an unexplained aneurysm should look up Familial TAAD and maybe consider genetic testing. Some of the known genetic markers can influence the repair algorithm. Discuss this with your cardiologists.
Happy Spring with lots of outdoor activity to all!!!
UPArtist

This is in reply to Bryan Fox: Is there anything more I can do to stop the growth.... I to have struggled with that question. My growth rate was measured at 4.4 (it was growing) and appears to have stabilized at a smaller 4.3. It was a Reassuring scan. I started taking collagen types 1 and 3, because I wanted to do "something". My BP is low, I have 0 CAD, I exercise regularly, no tobacco, and eat a plant based diet. I have been diagnosed with Familial TAAD. Its a good one to research for all with unexplained aneurysms. I do not have any of the known genetic markers, but that does not change my diagnosis of familial TAAD. There are numerous etiologies for ascending aneurysms, some of which can trigger aneurysms in other parts of the body, with only some showing the known genetic markers. As for me, I dont know if my collagen supplement makes any difference. It is a player in the integrity of the vascular wall and in the complex nitrous oxide exchange process, especially in some of the genetic anomalies associated with aneurysm disease. Too much for my brain! But this simple non-invasive daily act makes me feel a bit more in control. Plus my measurement appears to have stabilized after a year of using this supplement. So I plan to continue my behavioral interventions, including the supplement, and try to stay informed the best I can. However, everyone with an unexplained aneurysm should look up Familial TAAD and maybe consider genetic testing. Some of the known genetic markers can influence the repair algorithm. Discuss this with your cardiologists.
Happy Spring with lots of outdoor activity to all!!!
UPArtist

This is in reply to Bryan Fox: Is there anything more I can do to stop the growth.... I to have struggled with that question. My growth rate was measured at 4.4 (it was growing) and appears to have stabilized at a smaller 4.3. It was a Reassuring scan. I started taking collagen types 1 and 3, because I wanted to do "something". My BP is low, I have 0 CAD, I exercise regularly, no tobacco, and eat a plant based diet. I have been diagnosed with Familial TAAD. Its a good one to research for all with unexplained aneurysms. I do not have any of the known genetic markers, but that does not change my diagnosis of familial TAAD. There are numerous etiologies for ascending aneurysms, some of which can trigger aneurysms in other parts of the body, with only some showing the known genetic markers. As for me, I dont know if my collagen supplement makes any difference. It is a player in the integrity of the vascular wall and in the complex nitrous oxide exchange process, especially in some of the genetic anomalies associated with aneurysm disease. Too much for my brain! But this simple non-invasive daily act makes me feel a bit more in control. Plus my measurement appears to have stabilized after a year of using this supplement. So I plan to continue my behavioral interventions, including the supplement, and try to stay informed the best I can. However, everyone with an unexplained aneurysm should look up Familial TAAD and maybe consider genetic testing. Some of the known genetic markers can influence the repair algorithm. Discuss this with your cardiologists.
Happy Spring with lots of outdoor activity to all!!!
UPArtist

@upartist. Could you expand a little on how the Familial TAAD affects your treatment?

My husband has an aortic dilation. Like you, he has 0 CAD, exercises regularly, has never smoked and has eaten a mediterranean diet his entire life. I looked at the signs of Familial TAAD and he has a couple of them that are unusual, but not all the symptoms. We asked the PA at his aortic caregiver's office (not sure what the title is exactly) about genetic testing and she said it wouldn't make a difference in his care. I would like to hear what you have learned so that I can start to determine whether to bring it up with my husband. I think he is quietly extremely nervous about the dilation and I don't want to bring up the possibility of Familial TAAD unless/until I can determine what the change in treatment/outcome might be. Just interested in your experience as a place to start learning. Or perhaps a useful resource that you have found. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for informative comments.
Are the aneurysms you mention measured at their root?
I read on my echo aortic root diameter 3.5
And A O mean PG 4.3 ( mean aortic gradient)
Appreciate any info.

Hi Marta. The measurements are taken all along the length of the aorta and into the arch. For instance mine is shaped like a bubble. It is dilated in a few spots at different sizes. Each aneurysm can be shaped differently. Your cardiologist should be able to clarify this. Mine gave me drawings. I hope this helps.
Upartist