Travel/Newly Diagnosed

Am recently diagnosed with AAA so have no medical information to offer, but do wonder about your health insurance whilst traveling. However unlikely, should something happen will a pre-existing condition negate your insurance?

We are headed to S. America. Not sure about insurance, but anywhere in the world is probably less expensive than the US, where I live. I'd have to work that out after the fact, but I did see a cardiologist yesterday and he was very unconcerned about my aorta. He said it isn't an aneurysm yet, just a dilation that should be monitored. He looked at my EKG and history (I have no other cardiac issues, zero calcium, non-smoker, exercise daily, low cholesterol, and low/normal BP with a small amount of medication). He said to go enjoy my trip, the chance of rupture is very low and to keep exercising as usual, even higher intensity cardio, just no heavy lifting that requires strain or breath holding. I feel much better about everything now.

Good news - pleased you fot to see your cardiologist and all is well. Enjoy your travels.

@jennifer28 THANK YOU! Now I can be excited again for my trip!

Hi…I am older than you (66) and was diagnosed with a 4.0 aortic aneurysm about 4 years ago which was discovered through testing that was required for an autoimmune disease, otherwise I never would have known. Mine has remained stable (I see a cardiologist yearly). Like you, I also exercise, eat right, etc., so I was shocked.

The main thing I want to say to you is that since I was diagnosed I have traveled by airplane extensively as my husband and I are retired and love to travel. I was also very scared to do so due to the air pressure, etc. I actually was hospitalized before my first air trip since this discovery for something totally unrelated and took the opportunity to ask for a cardiologist consultation before I left the hospital as I also was petrified of going on a plane with this condition. The dr. assured me that it was ok to travel by air. He also said that close monitoring is the key and that there are many things to consider before doing surgery snd that surgery is usually not considered until if and when the aneurysm grows to 5.0, which hopefully it never does. It is unfortunate that you cannot see a cardiologist before your trip. Honestly, if it were me and I was that concerned, I would probably plead my case and ask if they could fit me in as I am a very anxious person! All of this of course is just my opinion and the opinion of my dr. Everyone’s case is different and there may be other factors to be considered before traveling with an aortic aneurysm.

Also, the only thing I was told not to do is to lift anything weighing over 20 pounds.

I wish you the best!

Just read your latest post….yeah, glad you have been assured and are going on your trip…enjoy!

@readytoquit Thank you for your advice. I did see a cardiologist, we postponed the trip a week and a half, and he reiterated what you have said here. He was genuinely not very concerned about my condition. He said to monitor it and gave me no real restrictions on exercise except no lifting heavy and no breath holding or straining.

Quick question for you, as you have had a dilation remain stable for four years, what type of exercise do you do and how vigorous is it? I am still very hesitant to do high-intensity cardio, even though the cardiologist wasn't worried about it. I want to remain healthy but at the same time, I also want to be mindful that I have this "condition" and would like to have it be stable and never require surgery, if possible. Any information is appreciated. ~S xoxo

Hi there…first off, I just joined this site and I do not know how I or why I was assigned the username ‘readytoquit’ as I am doing anything but that!😄. Will need to change that.

Anyways, as far as exercising, the only thing I do not do is any type of weightlifting. I am careful about moving furniture and overall lifting of any kind. I take Zumba classes, water aerobics, use a treadmill and walk. The Zumba classes are for people like myself who are over 65, they are called Zumba Gold so they are less intense, but I have taken ‘regular’ Zumba classes which can be more intense and I just keep up as best I can. I think the only reason that I cannot keep up as well as others is the fact that I have a few pounds to lose and am older.

I can honestly say that I have finally reached a point where though I am mindful of the condition and always will be, I am not obsessed with it like I was when I was initially diagnosed. Actually, I am now grateful that it was found when it was as had it gone undiagnosed who knows what could have happened as one exercise class I was in included lifting kettlebells and weights. Obviously, I do not take that class anymore.

I only recently found out that my grandfather died over 60 years ago from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. However, we have to keep in mind that 60 years ago there was nowhere near the technology there is today so really, though I am mindful of that also and will mention it to my cardiologist in November, I am not overly concerned.

I hope I have helped you in some way!😍

@readytoquit Yes, change that name, lol! Thank you sooo much for all the information, it's invaluable. To be honest, I am surprised at how well I have handled this diagnosis, especially as I tend to be anxious, particularly about health issues. I hope to be in a similar situation as you in a few years, but I also don't want to wish my life away. I don't want to spend my todays worrying about my tomorrows. I wish you much health and happiness and thank you again for all the information and encouragement! ~S xoxo

Oh yes, today that name will be changed…a quitter I am not!😂
I hear you loud and clear about wishing your life away. I was so shocked at first as I have other conditions that need to be monitored due to my autoimmune condition, so this was just another thing to deal with and I was almost afraid to do anything. Now I am not.

Please, please do what you want to do NOW. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow regardless of whether or not we have this condition.
Sending you all the best! Going to change my username to ‘livefortoday’ or something like that if it hasn’t already been taken.😄