Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

Thanks for the info! Next time I see the cardiologist I am going to ask about the slow release metropolol vs the 2x a day I was prescribed. My dog is 27 lb with arthritis and relies on me to put pick him up, I may have to put him on a diet 😂.

Hello Teresa (Mentor). It has been one year since you provided me with very good direction regarding exercise, aneurysm, and other contributing health issues. Thank you! I am doing well. I have started swimming and gentle water aerobics, combined with hikes using trekking sticks. I always have a cell phone signal and medication list with me as back up. Events have happened, but I was prepared. My blood pressure has remained steady, and I pace my exertion to ensure this, to the best of my ability. My tortuous aortic arch has been measured again, and so far remains at 42 to 43. I use two forms of nitro. People should know about that option (nitro paste... consult with your Doc of course) if their blood pressure runs low already, and they deal with angina. The nitro paste allows me to exercise with minimal chest pain, and doesnt bottom out my blood pressure with its slower delivery. I hope these little pearls help in some small way for those individuals who struggle with unique combinations of health issues and are trying to stay active and truly live their lives. Thank you Teresa, for mentoring!

So good to hear from you @upartist. I'm glad that you are adjusting and are able to engage in physical activity. That is great news!

Your suggestions certainly are "little pearls" of help. I did not know about nitro paste before you mentioned it. Thank you for checking in again with such a positive update.

Continue to do well and be as healthy as possible. Can I tag you on occasion when I see a member who could use encouragement?

I'd be happy to. 😊👍

My brother has lung cancer spread from another part of the body, now in the lymph nodes, extreme weight loss, no appetite. complains of SOB. he cannot hold down much food.
diagnosed back in June because of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Medicaid dual community plan most doctors and hospitals wouldn't take it. His healthcare was switched to medicare A and B which started November 1st. Going to New York to get Stereotactic radiosurgery. Its been put off with doctor needing more tests, PET CT, then an MRI. I did see on his PET CT that he has an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.6 cm. Can someone with AAA still get radiation treatment? No treatment began yet. He has lost too much weight.

Interested in any responses to your question, as I have the very same questions and finding very little guidance , even from dr and surgeon. Working out is what helps me physically and mentally and in one years time since my AAA was discovered quite by accident, it has grown from 4.8 to 5.17. I am a nervous wreck and feel so very limited by what I can no longer do ( push-ups pull ups sit-ups ) and 30 lbs is the limit I’m told. I’d like to know if there is a certain heart rate that I should not go over? My BP has been good, I’m on Cardizem, and surgery is probably in my near future. I see cardio thoracic surgeon next week… my anxiety over this is crippling. Oh, and I’m 54 yo female.

I have grilled my surgeon on this several times and he keeps telling me I can workout and lift weight as long as I am not straining (holding my breathe or huffing and puffing so much that my heart is not pumping steadily. Now that I'm on a beta blocker I can't get my heart rate up to 80% of max, so I've stopped worrying about heart rate. It's been a year of 65-70% max heart rate and steady yoga breathing anytime I lift anything and my AAA has not increased or shown any indication of dissection. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but it is better for my health to exercise moderately than not at all.

Since a chest xray nearly 15 years ago that found my AAA I've really watched my blood pressure and things that impact that.. my exercise is limited to walking and maintaining my acreage... scans and sonograms have been quite stable.. now 85 years old..

ken82, Reading your response was just what I needed to read. I was recently diagnosed with TAA (4.3) in October and since adding Amlodipine Besylate (calcium channel blocker) to my statin pill I feel much better. I am not having any issues nor noticed any "hiccups" from my heart murmur. I am under surveillance by the Cardiac Thoracic Surgery Team but I do not need another CT scan for two years. Reading your exercise of walking your property and doing maintenance sounds about right to me. I have been nervous and of course, allowed my imagination to run away from me. My husband takes care of all the heavy lifting as he has for years. I am 71 and feeling well. Your words pushed me to return to walking...thank you.

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have come out with new recommendations. Recommendations from 2010 were that repair surgery should be done with the aneurysm reaches 5.5 cm. The new guidelines state 5.0 cm. Apparently, they lost patients by stretching to 5.5 cm. You might, therefore, be careful until you see your surgeon next week in light of these new recommendations.
Best wishes,
Joanne