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Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Nov 8, 2023 | Replies (107)Comment receiving replies
I am 67 year old male who cycled 7000 miles a year at high aerobic rates. Almost 5 cm ascending aortic aneurysm was detected during echocardiogram for newly detected heart murmur. Cardiologist told me the two are not related, in fact an aneurysm will have no symptoms prior to dissection. Only restriction was to not lift any weights that would make me “strain” as this could spike blood pressure. I was also told to quit cycling at heart rates approaching my lactose threshold heart rate which was 145 bpm for me. Being nervous I checked my blood pressure on my exercise bike at heart rates up to 135 bpm. I found that after even one hour of riding the exercise bike at a heart rate between 125 and 135 bpm had no impact on my blood pressure.
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Thanks for sharing your situation. My ascending aortic aneurysm is about the same as yours at 4.9. Doctors say it is stable and continue to monitor. My anxiety level is very high and May drive having the surgery sooner. Wondering what your plans are related to if, when and where you may consider to have surgery?
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Clearly you have excellent aerobic conditioning.
The way my Dr. explained it is using a water hose as an analogy. There is the control of the flow from the spigot with the valve, bpm, and there is the pressure that builds up in the hose when you put your thumb over half of the hose end constrict the blood flow, i.e., when you strain and/or hold your breath. With the aneurysm it is important to keep the flow moderate rather than full out AND also not to strain which puts more pressure on the walls.
My Dr. recommended that I limit my activity to a pace where I can still carry on a conversation and also to only lift or do activity where I do not have to strain. For example, I no longer haul all the groceries up 2 flights in one pass and instead carry multiple smaller loads and practice yoga breathing as I do that to avoid strain.
I know this is no fun. I had to completely change my cardio workouts and can no longer lift weights at 12 rep max capacity, but I don't want a blow-out because I refused to change my workouts.