@pamela78
I understand what you're saying and appreciate your concern, sincerely, but I just decided to carry on with my normal activities at this point as my risk of dissection is low. I want to see how my echo changes in February, compared to my baseline in August, if I continue doing what I have always done given that my stress test was normal, I have no other heart disease, and overall I am very healthy. I don't want to limit myself unnecessarily, especially since I love working out and if I ever do need surgery I want my heart as healthy as possible.
I have been active my entire life and it has helped with my stress and anxiety, so the thought of not having a good, hard workout is almost unthinkable to me. I'd rather work out and have surgery younger and healthier than be more sedentary and never have surgery or have it when I'm much older and possibly more frail. That may sound crazy to others but it's a risk I'm willing to take as I am only 57 and have, hopefully, many more trips around the sun.
I watch my BP, eat very healthfully, don't drink alcohol, limit sugar, no gluten (I'm sensitive), keep a good social circle, manage stress through exercise, meditation, and prayer, and have a great husband of 26 years, so I hope the mitigating factors will help. I will know more after my cardiologist appointment at the end of February. If the echo is unchanged then I will keep on doing my thing, if it shows growth, I will modify my workouts as necessary. This was the best way I could think of to assess how my lifestyle affects the growth of my TAA. Sorry for the lengthy post... it's a (very, lol) long explanation of my thought process on my particular situation and managing exercise with my TAA. I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. I wish you and everyone on this thread peace, happiness, and good health! xoxo