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Cardiac rehab w/ TAA
I was diagnosed with/ TAA in January of this year. As I’m reading other people’s stories I, too, am finding little direction from my cardiologist. I have requested a referral for cardiac rehab hoping to gain direction & information last week but have not heard back as of yet. I was wondering if anyone else has pursued cardiac rehab & if it has been beneficial. Thanks in advance,
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Unfortunately not all cardiologists are well versed in aortic aneurysms and all the protocols around them, my recommendation is to find one that is specialized in aortic diseases. The right cardiologist should be able to give you the answers you are looking for, follow up protocol, exercise and physical activity recommendations. Beyond just the physical activities, which you should maintain but with limitations (no heavy weights or any exercise that causes you to hold your breath or grunt as that spikes your BP), the monitoring of TAA growth rate, your daily BP, any other issues you may have related to your heart and/or other illnesses, family history, etc. are all things your Dr should be monitoring to give you the right care. As I found out it makes a big difference to find the right cardiologist, whether you get surgery or not, the cardiologist will follow you up for the rest of your life so is very important to find the right one. If you ever need surgery of course you need the best cardiothoracic surgeon in a major medical facility that has done 1000s of these procedures.
I had a 5.2 ascending aneurysm which was repaired 6 years ago, I was lucky I found an extraordinary cardiologist and the best surgeon in Houston, my hometown. Couldn't have asked for better care.
Stay active and treat your body well, if you smoke stop, you know you have it so the care and solutions can be planned.
All the best
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1 ReactionThank you so much for your prompt & helpful input.
Wishing you good health!
It definitely would be advantageous to be in as good a condition as possible in a situation requiring surgery. Having the lower body and leg strength allowed me to get out of bed the first time on my own power the day after over 14 hours of open heart surgery and being out for 27 hours. The key is doing it the right way because you don't want to blow something out in the process. My local general cardiologist was worthless for my situation, and if had had listened to him, I wouldn't be here.
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3 Reactions@rlhix Thank you for your input.
I hadn’t heard from my cardiologist in a week after my inquiring about cardiac rehab. I made a call today & heard from her NP that I’m nit a candidate fir rehab but gave an alternate suggestion. Will check it out tomorrow. I think I need to look for someone who specializes in thoracic aortal aneurysms as suggested by someone yesterday…
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I go to the gym and use a very qualified trainer. She is concentrating on my balance and strength (I am 81 years old) She was informed within days of my diagnosis of thoracic aorta aneurysm and has scaled back the more taxing exercises (planking, stomach crunches, squats, etc.) However, my cardiologist who I am seeing to get a 2nd opinion, told me not to go gym and to only walk. Your comment about being able to get out of bed and being in good condition has convinced me to speak to the cardiologist again about continuing my gym training, especially before any surgery. Many thanks!