Activity level confusion

I am trying to think about this logically, think about the heart like a pump and the aorta is the pipe the fluid flows through from the pump, a dialation of the pipe should not affect the function of the pump. Now changes in altitude in a flight may affect the levels of oxigen in your blood, if your body has a need for extra oxigen the heart does try to compensate by pumping harder (high altitude sickness is an extreme example of that) and cause distress in the heart, obstructions would also cause the heart to pump harder (but you are being seeing by s a Cardilogist, so I assume he/she has checked you for possible obstructions). Anxiety may also be a factor, are you stressed during flights? High level anxiety may feel like your heart may explode. Now stress and anxiety may raise your BP and that would have a negative effect on the aneurysm. I just can't think how it can be the other way around (an aneurysm affecting cardiac function during specific moments), but I am not a Dr (I am an engineer by training) maybe there are fisiological factors I am not considering, but your Cardiologist would know those

@penaltybox24. just to add to the good comments made by others. I was diagnosed AAA in June of 2021 at 4cm. Now 4.5 cm, stable for the last 1-1/2 year. My suggestion is to get in touch and get evaluated by a cardio thoracic specialist/surgeon who deals with this condition a lot. They know how to read the scans and give good advice and also good to have them lined up if surgery is needed. In my case they told me not to bring my heart rate above 125 BPM and stop any strenuous exercise (I was road cycling in mountainous terrain and was told to stop). Lifting heavy items is also a no. In my case there is a lot of variance in readings depending on radiologist or cardiologist, so i rely on the readings done by the Thoracic Surgeon who does his own readings from the scan. He has told me that surgery is recommended at 5.0 or higher. I am still on annual scans.

Hey PenaltyBox24, could you tell us a bit more about your symptoms during your plane flight that preceded the discovery of your aneurysm? I have had cardiac symptoms during the decent from high altitude flights. I have previously posted my concerns about a possible relationship with cabin decompression and my aneurysm, plus asked my cardiologist about it. There seems to be no known relationship, but I am still suspicious and spooked. Do they know if you are having heart failure? Is it from your aneurysm? MoonBoy, do you have insight into this? I remember that yours occurred during traveling. I fly in 6 weeks. Thank you for any info, and PenaltyBox24 I really hope you have good results with your upcoming appointments! And MoonBoy, thank you for your ongoing informative posts!!!! Your perspective is very energizing!!!!

1 hr left to go on the flight prior to descent and I started getting right leg pain and strange shortness of breath. Thought it was just cramps from being stuck in the seat so long. Once on the ground and walking.... felt much better but sweat like crazy. For the next few days was extremely tired and had a DVT in one leg first night home after 4 hrs sleep. Went to urgent care to get checked out a few days later after leg had reduced to normal. 5 mins in and they sent me to ER and tests for 12 hrs. Not wanting to fly for sure until my next test EOM. Something on that flight happened to change my energy levels, etc.