am I exercising too much with a 4.3 ascending aortic aneurysm?

I am 71 years old and was diagnosed 8 years ago with a 4.4cm Upper Aortic Aneurysm. I have a CT Scan with contrast every 6 months to a year and it has not grown since. I exercise regularly and agree with all the discussion about recommendations being all over the place. I walk a lot at a pretty brisk pace, use exercise bands, as well as 10, 15 and 20 lb dumbells to do all sorts of exercises. I have used 25 and 30lb dumbells to do incline bench presses. I do pushups on an incline against the kitchen counter and squats with no extra weight using the counter to balance myself a little bit. I never do as many reps as I can possibly do, I just stop when my muscles start to feel tired. Before I knew I had an aneurysm I lifted regularly doing maximum reps to failure and straining a lot. Those days are long gone, and I mean, at 71, what's the point.

As far as lifting goes I think the most important thing is how you breathe. Personally I breathe in through my nose as I prepare to exert myself and out through my mouth as I push or pull of whatever. I think what can cause spikes in BP that doctors warn against has to do with lifting heavy weight and straining, meaning holding your breath as you push or pull. If that's what someone is doing, its probably, (in my opinion) too much weight or too many reps. Also agree with everyone who has said talk to your cardiologist because it varies so much between individuals.

All the best to all of you and God bless you!

Very good advice. Since arteries have no nerves associated with them it is doubtful that aneurysm could be the culprit, as long as it does not burst, there is no pain. Angina on the other hand is painful and therefore most likely Kmailloux must have other issues possibly with her heart. I was surprised that her doctors did not put her on a statin and blood pressure meds, since those drugs are indicated in lowering blood pressure, one of the problems that go undetected until stumbled on as in my case.

Even though your post is 2 years old I was taken by it. I also have a thoracic aortic aneurysm, in fact two. One 4.2 cm and one 4.5 cm with a valve prolapse. At 88 I am still going to the gym three times a week and am otherwise healthy. I also have been active most of my life in alpine skiing and other outdoor sports. I think your doctors have it correct: keep on with your sports because your strength will get you to 88 and beyond. I will not give up on my active life style because most of my peers are in heaven, those that did not exercise. So, don't worry, be happy and keep on with the things you love.

I was in a car accident in 2017 I broke some ribs and was a little bit banged up. That’s when I learned I had an upper thoracic aortic aneurysm that measured 4.4 cm. I could just say to your whole post ditto, ditto, ditto. All the same concerns and questions. Over the past eight years, I have gradually increased the exercise I do and sometimes it is strenuous and leaves me a little bit short of breath, but nothing intense. I do a lot of exercises with exercise bands and also light dumbbells meaning 10 pound, 15 pound, and 20 pound. I am 70 years old and a couple of different cardiologist have given me a bunch of different recommendations about how much weight to lift and how often to get a CAT scan. After my first CAT scan, six months after my diagnosis, the doctor told me not to come back for two years. I thought, “no way“, I don’t feel comfortable going that long. So I came back in a year and nothing had changed. I started exercising more and therefore became more concerned about possible growth so I started getting a CAT scan every six months and still nothing has changed. I continue to increase the amount of exercise. I do still staying within the same weight limits and I am now getting a CAT scan every four months. I am doing this because I keep increasing the intensity and I walk for 30 to 40 minutes every day. (and my insurance covers it. ) So far so good. Just wanted to let you know I struggle with all the same stuff. Keep on going!

Your comments are very encouraging. I am in a similar situation only I am 67 with an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.3 cm. This morning I had a CT scan to compare with the my original diagnosis CT scan when my AAA was discovered about 5 months ago. I am hoping to hear back that my AAA has not grown and is stable. I am looking forward to participating in a local charity 5k. We will be walking the 5k. Hoping for good news on the CT scan results.

I think you are doing all of the right things. Keep it up! I too have occasional chest pain if I over do it. Not sure if it is from my back or that AAA. I have been seeing a chiropractor who has been a God send and so far seems to be addressing this pain. My primary care doctor does not think the pain is from the AAA. I have been told not to lift anything over 30 pounds and to keep my BP as low as possible. The 30 pound limitation has really put a big crimp on my beekeeping but I am finding ways to get things done without over doing it.

Are you checking your BP everyday, morning and evening? I have been doing this not only to keep an eye on my BP but to adjust my BP safely as low as I can stand it with Metropolol and very small doses of chlorthalidone. Morning BP is usually around 90/58 and evening is around 116/65. I seem to be able to function just fine with my BP at this level. Stress is yet another thing to minimize. It is amazing how much stress can affect BP.

Best of luck training and competing in the 50K!

Are you talking about the open heart method of repair?

Mine was diagnosed at 4.0 almost 4 years ago and then went to 4.2 in a year. Now steady at 4.5 the last year and a half. Based on information from my local cardiologist and also from the head of cardiothorasic surgery at a university hospital who also reviews my scans, surgery is recommended at 5.0 cm (unless they see a rapid increase in readings). They explained to me that surgery is major and high risk, around 5% fatality rate, but depends on the hospital. Not having surgery before 5% the risk is down to well below 1%. They also told me that people who manage it (no heavy lifting, no strenuous exercise, keeping blood pressure low etc) have a low risk and as one of them said "you would go from something else totally unrelated".

It's my understanding that insurance doesn't want to cover surgery until you reach 5.0, unless something else is going on. I also asked my cardiologist about getting surgery earlier rather than later. I'm nearly 80 and don't relish having this major surgery when I'm even older. He said I should wait until the benefits outweigh the risks. This is a serious operation. Given what I know now about the long recovery for most patients, especially older ones, I may not have surgery at all. I'm at 4.2 and will have another CT scan in July. Fingers crossed it's still the same. I've never been keen on exercise but I try to walk most days, weather permitting. I've given up on gyms. Those of you who depend on exercise to stay sane and feel healthy--like my son and daughter--always amaze me. I guess it's how some folks feel about opera. You really like that? Anyway, common sense tells me that overdoing the exercise is asking for trouble. Move it or lose it, but don't push so hard you blow a gasket.

I 68 and had an ascending AA diagnosed at 4.2. I still have six months to go, but may do another ct scan to see where I am at.

What I don't understand is why in hell don't they just operate on it and fix it? It has risk, but it is better than this slow torture and not knowing how much you can really do. I hunt chukars, one of the most strenous outdoor sports. Walking up and down steep slopes. But no one can say do it or don't do it. Frustrating!

Thanks for the comments
I will have that discussion asap