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50 yr old healthy and active male - 5.0 in root - exercise or not?
Looking for guidance on exercise. After 2 younger siblings having recent open heart for aortic aneurysm repairs, the rest of us (9 in total) began getting our CT Angiograms. Mine came back with a 5.0 in the root, with healthy trileaflet valve. I'm in the process of reaching out to surgeons seeking guidance and the next step. In the meantime, trying to determine if I just need to halt any training until I hear back (running and stairs primarily) or continue pushing my heartrate up to what is comfortable.
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@pittsburghdad Great suggestion, thank you.
It sounds like your aneurysm is likely to be familial or genetic. The thing I would focus on right now is your blood pressure. Certain exercises can spike it- but you also want to keep it in check on a day to day basis outside of exercise. I have a 4.8 at the root and originally a suspected genetic component because of my brother’s sudden death from a heart attack. We don’t know if his heart attack was aneurysm related because there was no autopsy. I have been to both Cleveland Clinic and Mayo, and they feel that mine is likely congenital- but not due to a genetic elastic tissue disorder. Like you I have health trileaflet valves. If they had determined it was a genetic disorder issue, they both were recommending I consider surgery because I was in the 4.5 to 5.0 range. I would have never known about my aneurysm if I hadn’t gotten the tests after my brother died. The knowledge that we have this is a bit unnerving- but it is such a gift to know because we can take the necessary steps to take care of it. Best of luck to you!!
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1 Reaction@hollikal update. My
CT scan came back stable at 4.8cm. Will have a repeat in 6 months.
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2 ReactionsThanks @chrisn61 very helpful.
Yes, familiar or genetic indeed. Waiting to hear back from Cleveland, but have made contact with Penn, who asked me to schedule an Echo, to accompany the CTAngiogram already received, before more guidance can be given.
So far, of 9 siblings, 2 have had surgeries on their AAs in the last 2 yrs, 4 others with recent CTs showing 4.2- 5.0 (100% of those scaned), and the other 3 siblings having received clear ECHOs a while back, being told they now need to go get a CTAngiogram to be sure.
Hard to believe it's this prevalent in a family.
All the best,
I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in September 24 and a thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery in September24. I’d like to get back to golf but after walking 3 kilometres feel exhausted. I’ve started t’ai chi and enjoy that.
Are there exercise and health options to improve my wellbeing?
I dissected suddenly at age 50 in 2015. It took me 2.5 years before I really felt like myself. I did a lot of walking. It was very helpful but frankly, with what your heart has been through, it is going to take time. The surgery is a trauma to your whole body. Gentle cardio, swimming, walks, spinning all worked well for me. I am so thankful you're here though! It's nice to know other people who have been through it. It's a not a big club. Peace.