Exercise and Infrared Sauna with Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Posted by Bill Schmidt @bill66912, Apr 22, 2023

I began going to my local Planet Fitness back in 2019, just pre-pandemic. Never used a conventional gym before, I found and stuck with the 30 minute circuit room, and the cardio on the treadmill or stair machines.

This past March on a routine Calcium Score test, it was found that I have a 4.5 x 4.5 Aortic Aneurysm.

As we all know, Aneurysms are often genetic; and in my case it is. My Father had two, and died from the second. My youngest nephew also has one.

I have a cardiologist now, who told me that high heart rates and high blood pressure are enemies to aneurysms; and to continue exercising, but to keep my heart rate

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

Apologies; I didn’t realize there was a character limit and the site truncated my post. Could an admin delete and I’ll re-write? Thank you 🙏🏻

REPLY
@bill66912

Apologies; I didn’t realize there was a character limit and the site truncated my post. Could an admin delete and I’ll re-write? Thank you 🙏🏻

Jump to this post

heart rate limit? After rehab, for me, max for aerobic activity, or for that matter any activity, at 129.

REPLY
@martiellen

heart rate limit? After rehab, for me, max for aerobic activity, or for that matter any activity, at 129.

Jump to this post

Sorry for the truncated post, first of all.

My Cardiologist advised me of capping my heart rate at 130 bpm. I'm just newly diagnosed, a month out. No blood pressure meds, only a 5mg statin daily. So I've had to modify my physical activity to accommodate (or try to) keeping my HR under 130. The doc also had me check my BP twice daily, which I understand now is normal.

REPLY
@martiellen

heart rate limit? After rehab, for me, max for aerobic activity, or for that matter any activity, at 129.

Jump to this post

My doctor's recommendation is to keep my BP less than 130/80.

REPLY
@bill66912

Sorry for the truncated post, first of all.

My Cardiologist advised me of capping my heart rate at 130 bpm. I'm just newly diagnosed, a month out. No blood pressure meds, only a 5mg statin daily. So I've had to modify my physical activity to accommodate (or try to) keeping my HR under 130. The doc also had me check my BP twice daily, which I understand now is normal.

Jump to this post

My Dr won't give me a heart rate limit, but said as long as I can carry on a conversation it is ok. I guess it depends on what shape you are in to begin with.

REPLY
@mermaid1

My Dr won't give me a heart rate limit, but said as long as I can carry on a conversation it is ok. I guess it depends on what shape you are in to begin with.

Jump to this post

I agree with you mermaid1. I do think the heart rate limit has to do with age, the size of the aneurysm, and what the patient has been doing daily as far as an exercise program.

REPLY
@booklover71

I agree with you mermaid1. I do think the heart rate limit has to do with age, the size of the aneurysm, and what the patient has been doing daily as far as an exercise program.

Jump to this post

I'm wondering if I have an overly-cautious Cardiologist, or if it's because of my family history (my Father died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and my youngest nephew also has one). I'm 57 years old, but very physically active at the gym 3x/week and bicycling in between. My high heart rate during cardio activity was in the 150's to 160, but the doc advised me not to go over 130. So I don't know, but am wondering if its "interpretation" more than anything else?

REPLY
@bill66912

I'm wondering if I have an overly-cautious Cardiologist, or if it's because of my family history (my Father died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and my youngest nephew also has one). I'm 57 years old, but very physically active at the gym 3x/week and bicycling in between. My high heart rate during cardio activity was in the 150's to 160, but the doc advised me not to go over 130. So I don't know, but am wondering if its "interpretation" more than anything else?

Jump to this post

Hi Bill - I would just ask your doctor

REPLY

My heart specialists at a major university hospital told me to keep my heart rate under 120 bpm so switched from road cycling to walking.

REPLY

I had an emergency dissection at 4.5. In my recovery I was told to walk, walk, walk. I was also told that my BP was fine before my emergency but for someone that had the surgery they want to keep my BP lower, in the 120 range. My physical activity seems ok if it is walking, biking, yoga, swimming, because the blood isn't rushing/pounding against the artery. I am not to lift anything that would cause me to strain, hold my breath, or groan, for my lifetime. Lifting causes a sudden surge of blood against the aorta.

Listen and trust your doctor. Best wishes.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.