1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Travel/Newly Diagnosed

Posted by sabrinaivey @sabrinaivey, Jul 5 8:55am

Hello,
I am newly diagnosed with an aTAA of 4.3cm. I am pretty devastated. Fitness is such an important part of my life. I have done a lot of high-intensity interval training, running, and spin classes; even my yoga is hot/power yoga. Anyway, I found out about my condition just a couple of days ago. It's been a lot. For a person who has had severe anxiety in the past, I feel as though I have handled the news pretty well (thank you Universe). I have so many questions. I am only 57 and have been active my whole life. I have always been a healthy weight, never smoked, active, eat super healthy. The only risk factor I had was very mild hypertension which is controlled to usually around 105/65 with 80 mg Valsartan. I would never in a million years think I would have this. My cholesterol on my last blood test was very mildly elevated and my doctor wasn't worried by gave me a referral for a calcium scan to ease my mind. My calcium scores were all zero, but that is how the aneurysm was found.
My husband and I are due to leave from Florida to South America for a month on Monday. I have not yet seen a cardiologist as I couldn't get in. Am I safe to fly? It seems like a stupid question, but I am scared. I know my TAA isn't in the danger zone, but changes in air pressure can be weird. Also, any tips for keeping fit, both cardiovascularly and muscularly? I know I need to change how I exercise, just looking for suggestions to keep fit and not get my pulse or B/P too high. TIA for any help you can provide. Wishing you all peace and joy, xoxo.

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sabrinaivey | @sabrinaivey | Jul 13 4:35pm
In reply to @readytoquit "Oh yes, today that name will be changed…a quitter I am not!😂 I hear you loud..." + (show)
@readytoquit

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.😄

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@readytoquit I like the new name! I'm now super excited for my vacation. We love to travel as well. I wish you so much love and happiness, namaste! ~S

REPLY
summer230 | @summer230 | Jul 15 11:57am

@sabrinaivey sounds familiar to me. I just found out today that I have a 4.3. I went for a CT scan for my high cholesterol and to see if there was any calcifications around my heart, and like you, i am at a zero, but they found this.
Good question about the airplane as I am in Florida and fly back to Boston at times.
Unlike you, my lifestyle isnt the best, but I do like to play pickleball which I'm not certain if I can still do that. I am waiting for my primary to contact me with next steps. I actually have great insurance but they denied the CT Scan so I self paid which I'm happy I did!! Thanks for your post, I'll be following.

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sabrinaivey | @sabrinaivey | Jul 15 3:36pm
In reply to @summer230 "@sabrinaivey sounds familiar to me. I just found out today that I have a 4.3. I..." + (show)
@summer230

@sabrinaivey sounds familiar to me. I just found out today that I have a 4.3. I went for a CT scan for my high cholesterol and to see if there was any calcifications around my heart, and like you, i am at a zero, but they found this.
Good question about the airplane as I am in Florida and fly back to Boston at times.
Unlike you, my lifestyle isnt the best, but I do like to play pickleball which I'm not certain if I can still do that. I am waiting for my primary to contact me with next steps. I actually have great insurance but they denied the CT Scan so I self paid which I'm happy I did!! Thanks for your post, I'll be following.

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@summer230 My CT scan was paid out of pocket as well. My doctor knows I'm a little over the top about my health and my cholesterol has always been perfect but this year and last it was just slightly elevated, maybe hormonal - no idea, but she suggested a CT scan so I thought, why not? It was only $103 and I thought at least I could find out if there was any calcium, which I assumed not, but may as well get a baseline. Anyway, your PCP will most likely refer you to a cardiologist. I am also going to see a cardiac surgeon, just so I have someone that I trust in case something goes sideways. Curious to know where in FL you are. I am in St. Pete.

I wish you much health and happiness. I hope you aren't too anxious. You know now so you can monitor it. I just wish there was more guidance on what I can and cannot do physically in terms of exercise. It's such a mixed bag when it comes to guidance. Flying is fine, btw, as long as the cabin is pressurized, as in normal air travel. ~S xoxo

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summer230 | @summer230 | Jul 15 4:11pm
In reply to @sabrinaivey "@summer230 My CT scan was paid out of pocket as well. My doctor knows I'm a..." + (show)
@sabrinaivey

@summer230 My CT scan was paid out of pocket as well. My doctor knows I'm a little over the top about my health and my cholesterol has always been perfect but this year and last it was just slightly elevated, maybe hormonal - no idea, but she suggested a CT scan so I thought, why not? It was only $103 and I thought at least I could find out if there was any calcium, which I assumed not, but may as well get a baseline. Anyway, your PCP will most likely refer you to a cardiologist. I am also going to see a cardiac surgeon, just so I have someone that I trust in case something goes sideways. Curious to know where in FL you are. I am in St. Pete.

I wish you much health and happiness. I hope you aren't too anxious. You know now so you can monitor it. I just wish there was more guidance on what I can and cannot do physically in terms of exercise. It's such a mixed bag when it comes to guidance. Flying is fine, btw, as long as the cabin is pressurized, as in normal air travel. ~S xoxo

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@sabrinaivey Thanks for replying. After reading all these posts, I'm not AS anxious. But it's still nerve wracking to think open heart surgery. I know we are not there yet. You just don't know how long it's been there.
I'm in Marco Island. My Mom is 89 and I'm her caregiver. So that can be stressful.
Yes, I believe I want to go Cariologist and also Surgeon for sure. Thank you again, and please keep me posted and I will do as well. xoxo

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1 reply
sabrinaivey | @sabrinaivey | Jul 15 4:21pm
In reply to @summer230 "@sabrinaivey Thanks for replying. After reading all these posts, I'm not AS anxious. But it's still..." + (show)
@summer230

@sabrinaivey Thanks for replying. After reading all these posts, I'm not AS anxious. But it's still nerve wracking to think open heart surgery. I know we are not there yet. You just don't know how long it's been there.
I'm in Marco Island. My Mom is 89 and I'm her caregiver. So that can be stressful.
Yes, I believe I want to go Cariologist and also Surgeon for sure. Thank you again, and please keep me posted and I will do as well. xoxo

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@summer230 Best of luck! I will keep you posted and I would love to hear from you as well. My husband and I rescheduled our trip and we leave Wednesday. I'm still a little nervous, but I'm sure it will be fine. I have an appointment with a local cardiologist when I return in August. I hope she does some more testing, but I will let you know. Take good care!

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wags199 | @wags199 | Jul 20 3:48pm

Hello,
I am also newly diagnosed with 4.3 Ascending aneurysm. I have seen a surgeon and I addressed the same concerns about travel as I recently traveled overseas. You can relax about traveling, there are no issues with it whatsoever. Like you, I am only in my 50s and have always been physically active. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I am also handling it well, all things considered. I’m very thankful for this group it has helped me ease my fears. Live your life, travel, keep the situation monitored. Chances are you’ve had it for years. Mine was also found during a CT calcium score test. My calcium was also zero. I had a really hard time believing it! I can tell you that the surgeon said it is not driven by cholesterol. The most important thing is your blood pressure. I hope this helps!

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