I'm almost 64 and I too have a 4.5 cm TAA and I'm measured yearly. The past couple of CT scans have been with out contrast due to me having one kidney. This July I'm scheduled to have one with contrast and my one kidney is good and I have had no problems with the contrast since my nephrectomy. I'm anxious to see what it shows with the contrast but I don't worry about it to much and let it stress me. I agree with your statements about lifting and no sudden bursts and spikes in blood pressure.

I find it interesting that you mentioned softener salt. I work in a utility plant and have got around lifting the forty pound bags by using a bucket to let half the salt pour into before adding the salt to the brine tank.