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Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (108)Comment receiving replies
This is my first time to post so I hope I am in the right thread. I was diagnosed with a 4.0 aneurysm two years ago and it has remained stable. My cardiologist suggested that I have a nuclear stress test which I had three years ago. My blood pressure has been steady around 130/85 and even though I take a beta blocker which was increased two years ago. The last time I took a nuclear stress test, my blood pressure went up pretty high. All of my other tests that I have had are normal except for my aneurysm. I’m nervous about taking it, but my doctor has said it is safe. I scheduled an appointment to talk to her about it, but wondered if anyone has gone through this test after being diagnosed. Thank you. I have learned so much from all of your posts which has helped me accept and move forward safely.
Replies to "This is my first time to post so I hope I am in the right thread...."
I would strongly urge you not to have this stress test. You don't need to stress that aneurysm wall. What possible good is a stress test going to do? Does she have reasons for doing this? What are those reasons? Is this going to change something about your care?
Sometimes I wonder where our physicians come up with these ideas? (In my own life time I have avoided a lot of procedures and medical care simply by asking questions and saying no when it made no sense to me.)
Your resting blood pressure seems just a little high. You need to talk to a sub specialist cardiologist that has lots of experience with aneurysms.
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Hang in there.
It was suggested by a cardiologist (local and first time I visited them) that I have a stress test AFTER my aneurysm which I was told was a 4.0 decided to act up AND I had an emergency double aortic dissection where I was repaired in 3 places. This suggestion was about 4 months post surgery. So when I returned to Mayo for my 6 month check up I asked why I had to have a local cardiologist. They said so someone locally knows what is going on. I said, I wasn't real happy with my locals (which I had used twice and this one was new) and local meant they were 45 min. away and Mayo is 21 hours. My Mayo Cardiologist MD said she could be my person if I wanted to travel there for appointments. I said you are hired. She did not think I need to have a nuclear stress test or put on medication for plaque. I started PT. I am one year and one month from my emergency surgery. Yesterday I biked 10 miles. I do not lift anything that causes me to hold my breath, grunt, groan, or that I can do in repetitions. I have had no signs of heart problems and I have not taken the nuclear stress test (how could I do that just 4 month after a major surgery - I could tell you I would have flunked it then).
Best wishes, trust your doctor. If you don't find another one.