Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hi there amjoy. Welcome to the group. A couple of important framing points first. A single measurement from 2013 is not a reliable way to understand what is going on in 2026. Ascending aortic size can remain stable for years, or it can change, but you can’t assume either without current imaging. Before making long-term activity decisions, it would be reasonable to get updated imaging so you and your cardiologist know where things actually stand now.

At 4.2 cm, assuming that number is still accurate, this is something to monitor rather than panic about. It is not an emergency size, and many people live at that range for long periods with appropriate follow-up and sensible activity choices.The exercise guidance you were given—avoid straining and heavy lifting—is standard. The issue is not normal movement, it is spikes in blood pressure caused by breath-holding and pushing through effort. Lunges and squats are not automatically off-limits, but they can become problematic if they involve heavy resistance, deep strain, or holding your breath.

Physical therapists often become very conservative once they hear “thoracic aortic aneurysm,” sometimes to a fault. That does not mean you must stop strengthening entirely. Many people with TAAs continue modified squats, sit-to-stands, shallow lunges, and other lower-body work using light effort, slow controlled motion, and continuous breathing. Walking is excellent for aortic health. Gentle strengthening, balance work, and rehab-focused exercises after a knee replacement are usually appropriate with modifications rather than a hard stop.

One practical step is to ask your cardiologist for clear exercise parameters or written guidance that your PT can follow. That often helps avoid unnecessary restrictions while still keeping you safe. I’m not a doctor, but I am someone who survived a Type A aortic dissection in 2015 and learned firsthand that smart movement and good information matter. Updated data plus tailored guidance will give you a much clearer path forward. Peace.

I have a 4.5 Abdomen Aortic Aneurysm plus been diagnosed with COPD. And I have been given a stent in the upper aorta of the heart. The local surgeon in New Zealand has told me that he will not operate.
Question: Have any of the beautiful people here flown in a commercial airline with an AAA?

Thank you for this forum. Are we all Mayo patients?

At age 64, I was solo backpacking in the Colorado mountains in 2009 when I noticed that my left leg was getting more tired than my right leg. Several tests led to an ultrasound that revealed an abdominal aortic aneurism, so in 2010 I had an endoluminal graft (ELG) inserted into my abdominal aorta via a catheter from my groin. I then had annual ultrasound checks for leakage around the ELG. In 2019, enough leakage was noticed to necessitate another graft being inserted inside the previous one. Now, after 6 1/2 years, annual ultrasounds show all is good. I’m 81 years old and glad I noticed my left leg getting tired 17 years ago. Obviously, I insist that my two grown children get annual aortic scans.

66 y/o female diagnosed with thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm 3 weeks ago. Incidental finding on coronary calcium score ct scan no symptoms no cardiac history. Not on any meds prior. Now on BP and statin. Anxiety level high. Have appt with specialist in a week. Feel like a ticking time bomb

@ghk Hi ghk, I think we all feel like ticking time bombs when we first learn about our aneurysms, I certainly did. Particularly for me because I found out after I got testing done which was prompted by my brother’s sudden death from a heart attack. No autopsy on him so we don’t know what really happened to his heart and if he had an aneurysm dissection. It’s now been 2 years since my diagnosis of a 4.8 aneurysm at the root and a 4.2 aneurysm further up the aorta. I now feel lucky to be aware of the issues, and comfortable that it is highly unlikely that I will have dissection so long as I work with the right medical experts, keep my blood pressure in check, get checked annually and follow their advice. It does take a bit for the shock of the diagnosis to wear off, but the only changes to my lifestyle have been for the better as I now am much more committed to my gym! Best to you on this journey!

Thank you for your response. Gives me hope and optimism. Since my retirement I have been consistent with going to the gym and have been afraid that I would lose that activity. Waiting patiently for my medical appointments is difficult but hopefully will know more soon. Best to you on this journey as well!

@ghk
Hello.....hopefully you know the size already. Depending on that, family history, and your overall health condition, you may be able to have it monitored. Usually nothing is done except BP control and monitoring until it reaches 5.0-5.5cm. BP control is essential to reduce the chance for size to increase. Knowledge is power and may help to keep this situation in perspective. As you read other posts here, many who have this condition are leading normal, active lives! Best wishes for better days ahead!

Thank you. Size based on ct angiogram is 4.0 cm. I do not have a cardiologist but have an appt with cardiothoracic surgeon next week. No BP issues ( until I found this). My pcp put me on meds to help keep it down. I’m pretty sure it is anxiety related. Father died of “ sudden cardiac event” at age 60 so with no other risk factors my thought is that it is hereditary Most information I have I have found on my own. I have a long list of questions for the Dr.

@ghk
Hello again......with proper BP control your aneurysm may stay stable and not grow. However, it would be wise to consult a cardiologist and get established as a patient. While a consultation with a cardiothoracic surgeon may be informative, it's possibly premature since surgery isn't typically done on a 4cm aneurysm. At our age they can grow at .1cm per year and be considered "normal". Most likely, with proper BP control, you'll be monitored at yearly intervals or maybe even less often as determined by your cardiologist. Get informed, and use that knowledge to place your situation in perspective for a more manageable day-to-day. Wishing you calmer days ahead.