Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

What did you do to adjust your excercise routine? My case sounds similar to yours. My original doctor instructed me not to lift anything over 10 pounds. The second doctor said that he would have me continue doing what I normally do, & would check me again in 6 months. 🙄

In reply to rknee. Hello Rknee. Book lover is right. Surveillance of aneurysms does vary. I hope you are feeling better after the TVAR. A very important surgery! Valve health and aneurysms are related, and combinations of issues would influence the surveillance schedule. Good luck, and I hope your energy improves.
UPArtist

The basics from the printout I was given: Avoid lifting heavy objects. If you are straining or grunting, it is too heavy. Avoidance of contact or competitive sports, such as ice hockey, rock climbing, and windsurfing, isometric exercises that entail the Valsalva maneuver (e.g., weight lifting, sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, rock climbing), and exercising to exhaustion is not recommended. Walking is a good choice. Try for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Aerobic (moving) activities done for fun and in moderation are highly encouraged to naturally lower heart rate and blood pressures. Low impact activities, especially water activities such as swimming, are excellent activities to reduce injury to loose joints.

Side notes: I was truly disappointed about not being able to participate in Ice-Hockey 😉 My daughter added as reminder to me, I never need to go higher than 2.0. I was walking a little speedy at one point pre-TAA find and walked a mile plus at a "quick pace for this old gal" of 2.3- 2.5.

hi, I am interested in some weight lifting but no more than 20 pounds at a time and some sit-ups, but your post said to avoid "isometric exercises that entail the Valsalva maneuver (e.g., weight lifting, sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, rock climbing)." Where did you get this information with these specific restrictions. I am an interested too in doing safer exercises for my aneurysm.

I suggest you speak with your doctor before beginning or continuing your exercise program.

Hi,

Been googling an aortic aneurysm, ever since I had my echocardiogram a couple of weeks ago. 39-year-old female here, and my ascending aorta is at 4.2 cm. Just in the waiting loop, waiting for referrals, follow up's etc. Not going to lie, this is definitely nerve-wracking, but I am going to have to adjust and see what the future unfolds. Even though we're not face to face, I am thankful that I can read through comments and see how everyone's coping. Nice to meet you all.

Welcome to our group. Sharing and reading others going through the same health issues has been so helpful. Just knowing your not alone is consoling. The ones going through this can only feel your fears. I had ascending thoracic aneurysm surgery June 1 this year. I’m doing good back to work in 3 months. I do have a descending aneurysm they will be watching. But you can’t live in fear. Just keep going. I can’t lie I do worry but can’t let it rule my life.
Enjoy your holiday season.
I thank God for every day.

Hi @dinis
I had an aortic repair 5 years ago. My cardiologist was the one I talked to because I couldn’t find a lot of info on exercise. I wanted to row- I had a thoracotomy to repair my aorta so I wanted to strengthen my upper body- I was told I could row just, with no resistance. Also no inverted yoga exercises, which honestly I never thought of, and of course what you listed. My dr and nurse practitioner were very helpful. There are some exercise physiatrist that specialize in exercising with heart issues- we have one here in jacksonville.
Best wishes
Jeane

Thank you for your email. I appreciate you reaching out to me. I was wondering about lifting some small weights before one has surgery. Let's say you are still not told to go for surgery but the wait and see phase; but like others, it may happen if the thoracic aorta aneurysm goes south. In those cases, they still treat your exercise requirements as if you had the repair? I guess I thought I could lift up to 20 lbs total like 10 in each arm. It's nearly impossible in life not to lift weight like your grocery bags or a bag at the airport. I avoid any heavy lifting for sure, but I am confronted with the 50lb bag at the airport situation now and then. When I lift weights in my home gym type of thing it is 10lbs in each arm and no more, although I am curious to know if doctors generally just don't think if one has an aneurysm should lift any weight at all.

Hello
I have an ascending Aortic Annuerism that was found three years ago at 4.6 cm. One year ago it was 5.1cm and I am scheduled in January for another scan. Hopefully it is not growing now. Looks like a lot of information here. Thanks for having me.