Exercise, Lifestyle and Life Experience with Dilated Aorta?

@gocougs Throwing no shade on your experience. It is devastating as someone who pushed hard in the gym or on the trail. Bike, run, hike, powerlift. At age 57 I was coaxing 5 reps of 275 on flat and 250 on incline. I quit squatting 350 when I tore a quad last year and couldn’t run a 50k. I am 57. Great cholesterol, BP, glucose. 45 RHR and now I am lifting the bar and 30lb dumbells. No isometrics. I get on the elliptical and keep it below 126bpm.

Let it out. I did. I am still in shock. I just wish I was 72 (never thought I’d say that). Finding out just before turning 58
has been a cataclysmic event. No running the Antarctica marathon. Ever. Hang in there. The decision will ultimately be yours, but if you do it there’s a world of possibilities. Look up Aortic Athletes and see what people who’ve had surgery are doing. I am glad I caught it before I was just going along as the dissections are horrific.

@c130herkengineer

It’s hard to take when somewhere north of 10000 workouts in to this (and loved everyone) I’m lucky if I get to be the old dude hammered on drugs and doing 2.0 on the treadmill. Doing my best to do the “it ain’t fair” routine when I see some real never ran in their life types but then they will never know the feeling of hitting bench 10 x 225 , driving a golf ball 300 + or crushing the last mile on a tuff grade on your bike.

Thanks for the note. Did you have the surgery?

@gocougs I have not. I was diagnosed last month. My aortic root is only 4.3cm. Seven years ago I had an echo for non-heart related reason and just now found out my aorta was borderline at 4.0cm. Had I known it was borderline I’d have stopped the weights. I’ve hiked with 100lb for 28-37 miles. I did HIIT with 100lb sandbags.

I am hopeful that it won’t grow appreciably and I’ll get 15 years. I am also dealing with a benign pituitary tumor that doubled in size in seven months. Plus a fast rising PSA that may result in a biopsy. I am retired military and have had several close calls. Now I have decided I want as much time as I can get. Surprisingly, that has made me be comfortable with my new restrictions. Aortic Athletes talk about adapting and keep on going. One guy ran a marathon two years after dissection and open hear surgery. That has inspired me to push it as far as I can.

@gocougs you'll find that there are a number of people out there with similar stories who continue to stay active. I am younger than you (late 50s) and on the edge of requiring surgery. I have done competitive marathoning and rowing and have had to cut back on the intensity of my workouts, and to start a low dose regimen of statin and bp meds. My diagnosis likewise came as a shock and it took a while to adjust mentally. I might suggest that you check out the Aortic Athletes group on Facebook. You'll find others in a similar situation and there are some helpful videos from doctors about what exercise thresholds are permissible (a subject of some dispute among doctors) and from athletes who have made a similar journey . For example, one guy profiled ran the Boston Marathon (albeit at a much slower pace) about six months after having open heart surgery, and another recent video had an interview with a world class triathlete who had surgery and who continues to compete, but at a more moderate level. Given your fitness level you sound like an excellent candidate for surgery who can look forward to a strong recovery and a return to your active lifestyle. You'll be fine, but the shock is understandable, and so be prepared to give it some time.

I am not as heavy as you but am twice your age (88). The rest of your experiences I could have written myself. A year ago I was diagnosed with ascending aneurysm 4.2 and root 4.5 which a GP found with a stethoscope, con-firmed with a echocardio. I did exactly as you, almost stopped exercise totally and got depressed. But your one sentence got both me and my wife jumping for JOY. Your cardiologist said "at your weight and size, you may only have a dilated aorta" and not necessarily a full blown aneurysm. On average, an aneurysm grows 1/3 rd cm per year. So, you and I have a minimum of 3 years or more before a surgeon would need to repair our aneurysms. At least you had a cardiologist diagnose your situation, we do not have a specialist in Juneau AK. But, I am back to exercising and getting more confidant every day when I read others aorta problems. Good luck.

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I didn't see a name but to 44m and an aorta, I understand your panic, and depression and all other emotions you have. Your situation is worse and you are younger than I was. Support groups do help. When I was diagnosed with a 3.8 acending aorta aneurysm, I knew nothing and never heard of anyone with one. I was 73 years and older than you were. There has been no increase in the aneurysm so I felt safer but recently I was diagnosed with a heart valve leak. My probelms were cause by radiation to the chest for breast cancer. No doctor explained anything but I saw a note in my records. No doctor will mention the cause or offered any treatment so I have been on my own. I also have lung fibrosis caused by radiation and doctors have continually offered diferent diagnosis like COPD, then emphysema then no diagnosis and now radiation caused lung fibrosis. I went from one to two to three major problems and have no idea what the impart of all three are. I just learned from what you said that the size of the aneurysm is relative to body size. I am a small woman so any good news is good to learn. Keep seeking help and don't think you should tough it out alone. Why did you have symtoms so young? You are too young to have been in Vietnam, but were you in the middle east or worked in chemicals.
I am now 82 but I want to feel good and to know my life issues. Most of us do. They do heart transplants so they may be able to fix your problem and advocate for yourself and seek treatment at one our best US hospitals. I had a brother who was active like you but he had a heart attack at 62, He was overactive and high strung competitive person. He has a tracker and tries to change. He thinks a lot of meat diet is good for him but won't listen to the doctors and go to an extreme almost vegan diet. Bill Clinton had three hearttacks and he is thin as a rail and gave up almost all meat and bad fat. The heart is a muscle and my brother was told that overdoing it can wear it out. Try slow and steady and pray or meditate and don't eat the cows or pigs. Look and embrace changes, because almost nothing has worked for you. Doctors hold your lifeline, grab it and don't let go. I also realize that I can get stricter with my exercise and diet. Don't give up hope and seek help.

@c130herkengineer ,
I will say one thing. The heart is a muscle and everybody forgets that. My brother was told after a heart attack, that there are only so many reps in the heart. He was on the go if his eyes were open and he was not a long sleeper.