Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

I have had no adverse reaction to any of my activities. I experience no pain or issues when I reach my aerobic and anaerobic thresholds.

I have become a little concerned after reading the posts and how most people are guided to avoid the very things I am doing regularly. I have had stress tests and show a good response to the exercise load. I go back in for a scan in December and plan to discuss what I have learned here.

It's not about feeling pain but rather the load placed on the aortic aneurysm by straining. Think of it like a balloon with a weak section. If you push really hard on that weak spot it will burst. If you perform exercises that cause you to strain, such as heavy weights or intense aerobic activity that increases blood pressure to very high levels you are putting strain on your aneurysm.

I have not experienced any issues during my activities. I am taking blood pressure medication and monitor my BP at home but I go about my workouts as I did before finding out about the aneurism. I do follow my cardiologist’s advice as you noted, and I am cleared for any activities. I feel I may be fortunate and unique in my experience with the aneurism and hope I can continue on the same path for many years to come.

I bike, entering time trials and endurance events, as well as water, snow and cross country skate skiing. I also lift as regularly as possible. I did a lot of road running races for years but switched to biking a decade ago. I have always been active and involved in endurance activities.

I tore my Achilles tendon water skiing last July so have been sidelined for the last three months but am steadily recovering. I will have another scan in December to check on the aneurism.

Hello Teresa (Mentor)! I just read this old post from myself and then your response to it. Your response was the best advice I have ever had. I changed my patterns as a result. Fast forward a few years and through extraordinarily stressful events in my life, and unrelated to my aneurysm.... I have actually been able to reign things in. I was unable to exercise all together at times due to chest pain. I have had the cardiac issues dissected through by my cardiologist at Mayo, following tests to clarify what is going on. (Too multifaceted to share online). I always go back to your specific suggestions on how and where to arrange my daily exercise. By doing so, even my rough days become effective. The value of "staying Active" at any level, can only be understated. As I age, activity brings me happiness! Each year my body changes, and I must adapt. I have talented, kind, and engaged physicians providing guidance going forward. I am thankful for them, and for you mentors doing your thing out of the Mayo system for real people like me. 🌸

What size is your aneurysm?

I'm 45 with an ascending aortic aneurysm currently at a 49mm and a bicuspod aortic valve. My Dr said keep exercising as normal but I couldn't. I lose my breath and my heart races. My second opinion Dr said definitely keep the heart rate below 130 bpm and nothing heavier than 70lbs. So I've gone from kickboxing 5 to 7 times a week to walking and light weights. It's an adjustment.

I'm sorry to hear that. I made that post 4 years ago, and so far (crossing fingers/knocking on wood/etc.), my aneurysm has grown as slowly as the diagnosing doctor said it might. I'm due for another scan in January/February, but last year it was only about 0.1mm larger than when it was found, and with BP under control and no other major health factors, I haven't felt shortness of breath or tachycardia. I will say that, since the beginning of the pandemic, I have switched to lower impact exercise, only because my gym was closed for 8 months, and by that point, I had already bought resistance bands and taken to exercising outside (walking and running stairs). Honestly, I don't miss the gym, but that has nothing to do with my heart!

It seems like in your case, it is already big enough to cause noticeable symptoms, which is rough. Hang in there - the good thing is, these treatments seem to be improving all the time. My hope is that if/when I do need surgery for this, it will be (somewhat) less major than what it was 4 years ago when I was originally diagnosed. But we'll see.