Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@bitsygirl
Any idea on hot tub with this health issue ?

@gladifoundthissite Not really. I asked AI (Claude) and its response is below. I read through it and it makes sense to me. But I never entirely trust AI. You could ask your doctor through your patient portal. I use the hot tub. I don't jump right into a cold pool afterward.

AI Says:
Hot tubs aren't off-limits for most people with an ascending aortic aneurysm, but there are a few real reasons for caution, and the answer depends a lot on the size of the aneurysm and how well your blood pressure is controlled. I'm not a doctor, so treat this as background for a conversation with your cardiologist rather than a green light or a red one.

The thing that matters most for an aortic aneurysm is the stress on the aortic wall, which is driven by blood pressure and by sudden swings in it. That's why the standard advice is to keep blood pressure tightly controlled, avoid heavy lifting and straining, and skip stimulants. The current ACC/AHA aortic disease guidelines don't specifically mention hot tubs or saunas, so what follows is reasoning from physiology plus what cardiologists commonly tell patients.

Hot water does a couple of things. It dilates the blood vessels near the skin, which tends to lower blood pressure while you're soaking, and it raises heart rate as the body works to shed heat. On its own, that's not particularly dangerous to the aorta. The problems come at the transitions. Standing up quickly out of hot water can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and lightheadedness or fainting, and that's amplified if you take blood pressure medications like beta-blockers or ARBs, which most aneurysm patients do. Going the other direction, a cold plunge or a cold shower right after a hot soak causes vessels to clamp down and blood pressure to spike, which is exactly the kind of surge you want to avoid. Very hot water, alcohol, and long soaks also push you toward dehydration, which makes the whole system less stable.

So the practical advice most people get looks like this. Keep the water moderate rather than maxed out, somewhere around 100°F or a bit lower rather than 104°F. Limit soaks to ten or fifteen minutes. Skip alcohol and drink water. Get out slowly and sit on the edge for a minute before standing. Don't do hot-to-cold contrast bathing. Don't go in if your blood pressure has been running high or uncontrolled, and don't go alone if you're prone to dizziness.

Size and context shift how conservative to be. A small aneurysm, roughly under 4.5 cm, with good blood pressure control usually comes with few lifestyle restrictions beyond the ones above. As the aorta approaches surgical thresholds, generally 5.0 to 5.5 cm depending on your situation, doctors tend to be more cautious about anything that stresses the cardiovascular system. People with connective tissue conditions like Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a bicuspid aortic valve with rapid growth, or a family history of dissection are typically told to be more careful still. On the other hand, if you've already had the aneurysm surgically repaired and have recovered, hot tubs are generally fine once your surgeon clears you.

One reassuring point: population studies on regular sauna use, mostly from Finland, have found it to be generally safe and even associated with lower cardiovascular mortality, and while there are isolated case reports of aortic dissection occurring in hot baths or saunas, they're rare and usually involved other factors like very high heat, alcohol, or uncontrolled hypertension.

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed, the most useful thing is to ask the cardiologist directly, with the current aortic measurement in hand, whether hot tubs are okay and whether there's a temperature or time limit they'd want you to stick to. They'll also know whether any of your medications make the dizziness issue a bigger concern.

@bitsygirl thank you so much

Hi, Im a 71 year old female, always had great cardio test results, then one day oops aortic bulge, but since March with major GI problems I had an endoscopy, and lower GI.

After that a swallow test, problems swallowing, acid reflux all day and night with meds. Had been on Methotrexate for Psoriatic Arthritis, for almost 3 years... stopped it, was put on Forteo to build my bones for a spinal surgery.

Everything I ate was making me sick. Started eating bland soft foods, scrambled eggs, sweet potatoes, baby cereals, applesauce, yogurt, baked chicken cut up small. Diagnosed with 4.0 aortic asending bulge. Also CT scan showed some compression on my esophagus from my aorta. Compression of the Aorta between the trachea and Aorta. Seeing a thoracic Surgeon tomorrow.
Still major Acid Reflux occasionally pain in the chest.

@cindyilges I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I had an aortic dissection 11 years ago, and I have had trouble swallowing ever since. I’ve also been involved with UT Texas aortic research, and I can tell you that compression of the esophagus from an enlarged or dissected aorta is a very real phenomenon.

Over the years I’ve learned to make some pretty deliberate adjustments in how and what I eat. I avoid heavy, dry starches like potatoes and fibrous foods such as shredded chicken or tuna unless they have a lot of mayonnaise or dressing. I try to chew everything until the pieces are extremely small—ideally no bigger than a grain of rice. Ground hamburger generally gives me very little trouble, while steak can be much more difficult. Water helps but it has to me pretty continuous as I eat. If food gets stuck it's too late and I just struggle till it finally passes down. I eat a lot of yogurt and softer foods, and when I eat grains I tend toward smaller, softer ones such as couscous or oatmeal. You gradually learn which foods work and which ones simply aren’t worth the trouble. Despite having difficulty swallowing for all these years, I can assure you that I have NOT managed to lose any weight in the 11 years since my dissection! Funny how that works.

One frustrating part of this is that many heart doctors simply don’t encounter esophageal compression from an aortic aneurysm or dissection very often. In my own case, the first time I saw it clearly on one of my high-definition scans, I immediately understood what was happening, and so did my thoracic surgeon. Some of the cardiologists I have seen, however, have been surprisingly unfamiliar with the phenomenon. I get tired of trying to explain it to them because unless they themselves have had an aortic dissection they just are never going to understand it. So if you're finding yourself unheard, get used to it because it is just something that gets missed in medical school for these folks and it's not their fault. That said, it's a real thing and most of them just do not internalize the fact that if you're aorta is enlarged it compresses the other structures within your thoracic region, and because your esophagus lies next to your aorta in between your spine and your sternum, there's no place for it to go except to get squished. You're not imagining it. When doctors give you a dumb look on this point, shoot it right back. So please know that what you are experiencing can have an anatomical explanation and deserves to be taken seriously, particularly since your CT has actually documented compression. I’m very glad you are seeing a thoracic surgeon.

I really feel for you. You can make adjustments to what you eat and how you eat that may help greatly while your doctors sort out the underlying problem. I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I hope your appointment goes well and that you continue to do well. Peace.

@cindyilges So sorry you are experiencing such horrible GI symptoms and occasional chest pain. I'm glad they believe they have found the cause and that you have an appointment wih a thoracic surgeon tomorrow.
There is only so much room in your thoracic cavity. Any enlargement has to push on something.
My Aneurysm was diagnosed at 4.2 in 2024, when I found a large pulsating vessel at the base of my throat. CTA shows it is my right brachiocephalic artery. The aneurysm is displacing all my great vessels . Luckily I have no problems. Recent CTA shows no change in size. Still 4.2. Follow up with my cardiologist every 6 months. Get my Echos and CTAs.
I hope that they can do something to give you relief. Good nutrition is the foundation for long-term wellness. There's a big social aspect to it as well. You've had difficulties since March. Hopefully tomorrow brings you more clarity on what is going on and encouragement that there will be a solution. Sending prayers!!!!

Been diagnosed with aortic aorta problems in my stomach, any helpful advice

@moonboy what great advice and insight into this problem. I've recently had a few episodes of difficulty swallowing if I'm in the car with a seat belt on when we stopped for takeout. Makes sense now! Even though mine is in the ascending aortic arch...not abdominal.

Hello Everyone,
I was diagnosed with an ascending aorta dilation of 4.1.
It was found during my first lung scan after my lobectomy, after that I had an MRA. I did do some research, some frightening, however I as well read up on what I can do.
My cardiologist who ordered the MRA said I will have them yearly, along with seeing him regularly for check ups etc.
He put me on a beta blocker, and just after my lobectomy he put me on blood pressure meds… as it went up after surgery. He had recently put me on cholesterol meds, it’s way down now along with my blood pressure.
He also recommended diet and exercise. No heavy lifting. Losing some weight as well. He said go live my life 😊
I eat mostly plant based… but now even more. And 98% vegetarian, I do have and enjoy salmon often.
Any consumption of saturated fat and sugar is in the past. Sodium intake is low. I’ve made many changes, so, gone is my favorite food group (ice cream !) lol oh well, I’m more interested in health and I’m losing weight.
I’ve switched to decaf coffee and tea.
Exercise is either walking or recumbent bicycle at least 30 minutes daily. I will be learning to meditate as well.
These health issues have been challenging me in many ways, just wrapping my mind around it all, it still feels unreal at times.
I’m grateful too, grateful my lung cancer was found early, no lymph node involvement, no chemotherapy etc was needed.
That first scan was as well clear. I’m very lucky that this dilation was found, I’d rather know than not know… to just be aware, how fortunate I am.
When I do think about all this at times it can still feel scary though as I’m human… but I remind myself just what I share with others to help them cope, that when I have a “what if “ thought, I answer it with “I’ll deal with that when and if I have to then.”
If anyone here has any suggestions, I think I’m ready to learn more, lol ?!
Thank you in advance.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

@daisydays So sorry you are going through all of this, but happy to hear that your cancer was caught early. To me cancer is a much scarier diagnosis than aneurysm.
I was diagnosed at 4.2 cm a couple years ago. I had just retired at 70 from nursing. I'm in good health. Not overweight. Very active. Eat well. Probably not as well as you,🙂 but I majored in Dietetics , until my mom died from a brain tumor and I changed my major to nursing. I'm still very much a foodie though.. I can or freeze local produce. Bake with sourdough starter.
The aneurysm diagnosis made me stop and reevaluate a lot of things. I live more in the moment now. I stress less about little things. It might be my age, but I've accepted that I have an aneurysm, and it doesn't scare me anymore.
You have been through a lot and remain so positive. I think you are doing everything you can, except one thing. I think you need to have an ice cream every now and then. Life is too short!! Have a small one.
Sending prayers, hugs and well wishes on this journey!! You've got it!!!!🙏🙏🙏♥️