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← Return to enlarged aorta vs aneurysm?
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Thanks for the details on your CT. I just got diagnosed with an aortic root "mild" dilation of 4.3cm. (ascending is 3.8cm, which is considered normal). I am going in for a follow up with a cardiologist and was told that they would likely do a CT with contrast to get a more accurate measurement. I was warned it could be slightly larger, or slightly smaller. At 6' 215lb, I am faced with the end of heavy weights and ultramarathoning. I'll talk to the cardiologist about that as my BP averages 103/73 and my resting heart rate is 45. As someone who has been physically active and pushed myself hard at times, it is a blow at the moment as that is what keeps my mental health on an even keel. Appreciate you and all the others who are posting their diagnoses and what they are doing to exercise.
Replies to "Thanks for the details on your CT. I just got diagnosed with an aortic root "mild"..."
I’m glad I could help in some way. This forum is incredible. I think someone mentioned the “Aortic Athletes” group on FB also. I joined there and it has been helpful.
Eager to hear how your CTA goes, mine brought me a lot of comfort as the measurements came in smaller. Either way, up or down, it’s best to know.
Always here for you, as are the others on the board.
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@c130herkengineer I was diagnosed last year as an incidental finding to a precautionary CT scan done to check for calcification. Like you, I've been active and have been competitive in marathons (did Boston a few times) and have been part of a competitive men's masters rowing team. I'm at 4.8 cm. My initial "cheap" CT scan came back at 5.0 but I had a subsequent gated CT scan with contrast six months later that showed 4.8 (so there may be some variation when you have a CT scan with contrast) and I just had my one-year follow-up scan that showed no change. My doctor, who trained at the Cleveland Clinic, and who seems pretty current with the literature, advised me to keep most of my workouts in a zone 2 range and to keep my peak heart rate below 80% heart rate reserve and not to lift more than 50% of my body weight (the advice on lifting limits seems to be particularly variable among doctors). I might suggest you check out the Aortic Athletes group on Facebook which has links to some of the videos by some the experts in the field of exercise for people with aneurysms (e.g., Dr. Timothy Churchill at Harvard, Dr. Alan Braverman at Wash. U, and Dr. Prakash at U. Texas) as well as a community of people facing the same issue. It's a shock and it will take a few months for you to adjust, but you'll get there.