Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

Great cardios you do. Had my office visit yesterday with my cardiologist and he looked at my weight machine circuit exercises and weight loads and approved of my approach, so I'm continuing that. Also, learned that HIITs are OK (but I dread those because they are so hard to catch your breath). From what I read in a Norwegian study, the HIITs are significantly better at BP reduction over standard cardio at moderate pace (e.g. treadmill). Happy hiking.

I had my surgery at St. Joseph's in Syracuse NY. My recovery has been a bit of a struggle with tweaking the medications, but I am 4 months out now and starting to feel stronger. Cardiac rehab has helped a lot. I still struggle with the fear though, because my surgeon told me that even though the anneurysm was repaired, there is still a chance another one could develop above or below the site of the repair, so its hard not to be worried about that and feel like I'm "out of the woods."

Hi, yes I had open heart surgery, as they discovered a blockage as well so I had to have bypass and the repair at the same time. My surgery was at St. Joseph's hospital in Syracuse NY. I think the catheter method is mainly for abdominal aneurysms, but dont quote me.

When I started, my BMI was 36% of my 245-250 lb. size, so I calculated the non-fat part of me was only 161 lbs. and with normal 4 to 8% fat would give me a normal weight of about 175 lbs., so I would use that to estimate any percentage of what I "should be lifting" (though I don't subscribe or use that measurement approach, first because it's your non-fat weight that matters with the weight lifted, and second it depends upon what muscle group you are using and if it is a complex or simple exercise invoked, so the weight itself is secondary). Instead, I use my breathing to guide me, and I am down to 239 lbs. in about 3 months, and have been steadily increasing the weight lifted, depending on the exercise, as it becomes too comfortable. I never hold my breath or grunt to strain, and keep my breathing steady. I don't care how long it takes me to add another 5 lbs., just taking it slow. My goal is to have a net calorie intake (ingested food less consumed calories from exercise) of 1500 calories, which would mean about a pound loss per week or better. The extra muscle will accelerate my resting metabolism. It is also restoring some of my lost ability from an adult sedentary life, and make me look better. I am not getting the visible vascularization I used to have, but at my age, who cares, as I am adding muscle girth. The heaviest weight I use is on the quad press machine, 170 lbs. at the moment and calf press machine, 190 lbs. at the moment, as these two muscle groups are naturally the strongest, and actually the easiest to do for me. Other exercises are as light as 35 lbs. I anticipate that if I get down to my former "fighting weight" of 178 lbs., I will be doing these weights and probably more, since the absence of fat won't mean a loss of anything good. But run everything by your cardiologist early on or before you start to make sure in your case its not over your red line or that s/he may have a better routine for you.

From what I've read, statistically athletes have a slightly larger Aorta.

I believe in asking your doctor your question and clarification but I was told by doctor and cardiac PT that the exercise lowers your BP. It is the heavy lifting and bursts of a lift that causes the blood pressure to rise. Anything in which you grunt, groan, hold your breath or exert yourself is what you should avoid. I am 69, female and already had an emergency aortic dissection. I’m 11 months out and walk 2 miles, bike, and do my normal gardening and hobbies like ride horses, jet ski, and swim. My BP is in check at 120-110 over 70 with .25 metropolol. All seems good so far and I don’t push it. These are all the things I did before surgery. I’m just not lifting (or pushing or pulling).

How big thr aneurysm when you have the emergency aortic dissection? Did you have Stent or surgery?

Nice that is what they told me no heavy weight

It was found at 4cm and dissected at 4.5 a year later. I had emergency surgery(8hours) 3 grafts and one graft in the descending aorta has a stent in it. I’m lucky to be here❤️

This is scary. A 4.5 cm "aneurysmal dilation" of my ascending aorta was found during a calcium scoring test two months ago. I still haven't been able to get in to see a cardiologist to learn more about what is going on. I've done a fair bit of reading and 4.5 cm seems to have a low risk of dissection (at least for the ascending aorta). Can I ask what you were doing when it dissected? What did it feel like? How far away were you from help? I am in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Glad you made it through!