Travel/Newly Diagnosed

My family doctor referred me to a cardiologist and he is doing the monitoring. The guidelines for monitoring were updated in 2022. You can read them if you want by googling 2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease. My cardiologist wants to check just slightly more often than the guidelines suggest. I plan to continue running, hiking and body weight exercises, he says I’m good to go traveling. He has put me on a statin to drop cholesterol and he wants to keep my blood pressure on the low side even though it wasn’t too bad to start with. Neither drug has had any side effects at all. I was lucky to get a referral that was good. Others on here probably have suggestions for finding doctors. If you don’t feel comfortable look for a different doctor, it’s easier if you are near a major metro area. I hope you find someone super good.

@cez1, thank you for the reply. I will seek out a cardiologist as opposed to a surgeon. You may have already told me this, but the threads here are hard to follow. What type and size aneurysm do you have? Did your cardiologist run any additional tests on you? Did your doctor say it was okay for you to continue running, hiking, etc? Did he restrict your activity in any way? Thanks, sorry for the barrage of questions.

It has been two years. The first measurement was done by ultrasound then a year later it was measured by CT scan and then the next year by echocardiogram. All are a little different and each was a little different measurement which could be due to the type of image, the angle, the person measuring, the actual size of the dilation at time of measurement, etc. Most recently I was 4.4 at the aortic root where it connects to the heart and then 4.1 a little further up. It was first found by ultrasound which was done because my doctor wanted to look given that my dad died from an undiagnosed aortic aneurism at 85 years old. They can run in families. He also had high blood pressure and was not very active they did not treat high blood pressure very often back then 45 years ago. Anyway, over the last two years those are the tests and they are consistent with the 2022 Guideline. The doctor may try different imaging over time because some are cheaper and the insurance company might not want to pay for a CT scan, each one gives a little different view, etc. He did a complete blood panel and checks blood pressure. At you first exam he looks you over as there are signs he can look for in a physical exam that would indicate some of the genetic conditions that can increase the chance of getting an aneurism.

The pictures help show if you “just” have a dilation or if you have other complicating factors like damage to the aortic wall or lining those factors might change your situation a lot.

I live at a high elevation and trail run 5k almost daily and occasionally 10k. He thinks that is not a problem, cardio exercise is good. His only restriction is to avoid lifting over 75 pounds. When I told him my dog weighs more than 75 pounds he said he doesn’t want me to do it but at least if I do, be sure to not hold my breath. It’s just a precaution because blood pressure spikes can happen that way and might contribute to aneurism growth. If overweight, losing weight might contribute to aneurism shrinkage, that has been suggested by a small study. No other restrictions in any way, light weight lifting or body weight exercises are encouraged.

No travel, work or recreational restrictions. Maybe if you engage in extreme activities there could be, I don’t know. It will matter what you are used to doing, weight, conditioning, etc.

Please remember I am telling you about me. Your condition might be different somehow so be sure and do what your doctor thinks is best and if you aren’t comfortable with it get a second opinion or even a third opinion.

You can read the exercise guidelines for yourself too, the link to them has been posted on here.

Relax.

I was recently diagnosed with a 4.1 cm root dilation in a cardiology practice where I had an echocardiogram for follow-up I should have done two to three years ago following a cardiac calcium score scan of greater than 600. I'm an otherwise healthy , slim, active 65 year old male, retired RN with normal blood pressure, I also passed my recent cardiac treadmill stress test with flying colors. In a few weeks time, I am seeing a cardiothoracic surgeon for a " second opinion". I know it's premature to consider any kind of surgical intervention, but I'm doing this for reassurance and peace of mind. Wishing you all the very best.

Hi!! That’s a tough one to figure out !! When I found out about mine in December (4.2) I asked to be referred to a cardiologist and the family dr also sent a referral to a surgeon. It’s a 6-9 month wait for cardiologist. But got into the surgeon in 2 weeks. Surgeon ordered a 6 month check and it’s now at 4.4 . I have a phone follow up with surgeon tomorrow . Still waiting to get into the cardiologist?? It’s weird . I would try for both!!

@glendamn Thank you, I was able to make an appointment pretty easily with a cardiologist in Miami ( I am in St. Pete, it's about a 4-hour drive). I made it at Mount Sinai in Miami Beach, they have an aortic center there. I figured I should get established there in case I need surgery at some point, then also have a cardiologist here for routine screenings, but I will also have no issues traveling to Miami if that is my only cardiologist, as it is worth the drive. Good luck finding a good doctor. It doesn't seem like it should take that long to get one. In the meantime, at least you have a surgeon watching you! Hugs, xoxo

If you ever need surgery, it’s gonna be a cardiovascular surgeon. I would make an appointment with the cardiovascular surgeon…. that’s what I did. I also have a cardiologist. I prefer the cardiovascular surgeon to follow me because they know when I’m gonna need surgery and they can see what’s going on beyond my aneurysm. I think it’ll be really good to have a relationship with your cardiovascular surgeon and have that person following you along with your cardiologist. It really kind of takes a team.

@ginnycake Thank you. I didn't have a referral for a surgeon, but when I go to Miami to see the cardiologist, I will ask about it. They have excellent surgeons at Mount Sinai's Aorta Center. Hopefully I can get a relationship with one. Thanks again!

xoxo

My cardiologist looked at my stress echo and told me I'm safe with aerobic exercise so long as I keep my heart rate below 140 - based on my blood pressure readings at that level. I used to push it higher- but not hard to stay below that. No problem with flying. Biggest concern is blood pressure- and he had me buy my own cuff so I can take it regularly. also no heavy lifting no holding of breath when I lift or do other exercises. Mine is 4.8. Waiting on DNA results... if those are negative will get checked again in 9 to 12 months.

@chrisn61 Thank you, I appreciate your input. I see a cardiologist on Thursday. Hopefully all is good!