I just saw your post. I completely understand. I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm May 2023. The diameter was 3.9 to 4.0 depending the test and the reader. It measured 4.1 last fall. Nobody was alarmed.

I lifted and trained pretty intensely prior to my diagnosis. Initially, I was told not to lift anything heavier than 50 pounds. Then I as told not to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds. Aerobic activity had no limits, but no contact sports or anything that involved a quick, forceful torsion motion of the chest - tennis, golf, racquet ball, etc.

After being told the 20 pound limit… and even the 50 pound limit, I wanted more clarification. I went to Cleveland Clinic and spoke with a cardiologist there about activity. We reviewed my normal activity. I told him 50 pounds on some lower body movements is nothing. Yet if I tried to do some upper body lifts with it, it would be very difficult or impossible.

For reference, I was squatting 200 pounds, deadlifting 270 pounds and benching 110 pounds prior to my diagnosis. Basically, doing a stress test on the aneurysm 3 times a week. I am 5’7 and 122 pounds. I do not have issues with hypertension. Resting BP is 100-110/50-60. HR 55-60.

We came to an agreement that using an exertion scale and leaving 2-3 reps in the tank, no breath holding, grunting or bearing down would be permissible. I have been following this now for one year. I see him again this week. My scans will be repeated as well.

I think one thing everyone needs to keep in mind is we are all unique as someone else pointed out. If I had been inactive, struggled to carry groceries and never went to the gym, more stringent lifting limits would apply. I feel comfortable now and can continue to work hard in the gym with limits, continue to see my friends there and maintain my sanity. Exercise is a big stress reliever for me.

Another thing I did unrelated to exercise is I purchased a medic alert bracelet that identifies me as having an ascending aortic aneurysm and a contact number. There are some cute ones out there now. I purchased my through Lauren’s Hope.

Keep your chin up. It takes awhile to wrap your head around this and then you learn to adapt.