Exercise, Lifestyle and Life Experience with Dilated Aorta?

@beebo That depends a lot on your condition but I have been using 15 and 20 pound dumbel weights and up to 30 pound kettle bells with no issues. This is more weight than I did before surgery, BTW. I am 20 months post surgery for repair of two ascending aortic aneuyrsms. Listen to your body, though.

@beebo the most important thing is whether you can comfortably handle the 15lbs while breathing through every single rep, even the last one, never hold your breath. If you can comfortably do that, I think you should be OK

@mikeneverwired Thanks for this. Very helpful!

Thanks to everyone who posted here, especially the OP. I feel exactly as you felt when you started this! Just this week I learned from my echo that my aortic root is 4.1cm. I am 49 years, about 6'0" 190 lbs, and usually lift pretty heavy about four times per week. But since I found out about the aortic root I've been devastated and afraid to go to the gym. Have I done my last set of pullups? Or at least my last heavy squat?

Still in a tailspin but reading this has really help.

@professorkevin 9/9 I learned my root is 4.3cm and ascending is 3.8cm. Mild aortic regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse. I was two months shy f 58. 6’, 220lb and a huge weightlifter, HIIT and endurance athlete. It is nearing the three months mark and I’ve seen three cardiologists, two for aorta and one for Afib. I can no longer do pullups, pushups, or bench/squat heavy. My aorta doc says he’s fine with 135lb on the bench if it’s easy. I am settling into a rhythm and have accepted I won’t be super strong anymore. But I still lift, full body, for an hour 3x a week and I run 10 miles/wk. Summers I cycle and paddle board. No snowshoeing or x-country skiing. I have adopted the motto of the Aortic Athletes: don’t quit, adapt. It’s been hard and frightening, but
my four mile run yesterday has me grateful. I can still exercise and maintain fitness. I wish you well. Give yourself some time.

I fully and suddenly dissected at age 50 while on business in California. It was simply the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt and then three weeks in a coma after two open heart surgeries. I am very lucky to have this opportunity to talk to you. Most people who just dissect suddenly don’t live to tell the story. It’s time for you to honestly accept and assess your risk. Deadlifts, planking, and grunting on any exercise is totally dangerous because it spikes your blood pressure. That can kill you if your aneurysm bursts. You’re only at a 4.1 cm so you’re not likely a surgical candidate yet until you get to a 5.0. There’s no rush to that right? Deadlifters have notoriously suffered aortic dissection at very young ages because of the strain they put on their vascular system. Deadlifts spike blood pressure, so stop. Your family needs you. Stop doing things that bring heightened risk front and center. You’re doing the right thing by being here and asking questions about it from people who survived. Believe me. The last 10 years have been really traumatic for my wife and kids. They constantly worry that something bad will happen again. We owe it to our children, spouses, and friends to care for ourselves. Peace.

Thank you to moonboy and c130herkengineer!! I appreciate the understanding and advice.