Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

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.

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.

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

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. 🙄

I am guessing here...it may be up to the "doctor/hospital" guidelines and the overall health and age of the patient. (I am 72 - 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm). Sometimes there are other health factors in regard to how often a patient should be tested. Since mine was found by accident when I had another unrelated ( not a heart health issue), the cardiologist decided to wait for two years before the repeat round of tests. I am comfortable with his decision since I have medication and I feel good. I adjusted exercise etc based on his recommendations and have no issues. Then again I never knew I had TAA until I had the chest muscle pull. Needless to say, it worried me in the beginning as well, and so many wonderful posters shared their experience on this thread. I am only sharing my health experience with my testing schedule going forward. I am not a doctor and everyone should refer to his/her doctor in regard to what is best for their own overall health plan.

Hello- during the process of testing of my severe aortic stenosis my Dr discovered I have a 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm. I was told by the surgeon that it wasn’t big enough to repair at this time so they did a TAVR and I now have a bovine valve. My question is what tests are done regularly to determine the size of the aneurysm and how often? I saw my cardiologist 7 weeks post op and he just said he just told me to come back in 6 months.

Good morning Kanaaz. Question: Is anyone in the aneurysm group using collagen supplements in response to their aneurysms? I just started using a type I and type III form. My cardiologist mentioned connective tissue issues related to aneurysm /aortic disease, so I went this direction. . What information have people been finding on this topic? Thanks!!!

Welcome to our group.
I have found it very helpful before and after my aortic aneurysm surgery this last June 1
So much to share. Very comporting knowing others are out there with the same fears that will share how they handle it and their whole healing journey. Keep in touch and share. This is so different then talking to our family. Here we share
Something in common that only we know how it feels.

Hello everyone, got my calcium scoring back about two weeks ago. Score was 480 and they found a 4.2 cm ascending aortic aneurysm. Waiting on cardiologist to call. Stumbled across the group and thought I might reach out.

Hi there the calcium score test showed it to be a 4.1 cm . I spoke to my doctor (cardiologist ) yesterday he’s planning to have me do an MRI soon . I hope you’re still doing well after your surgery ! Wishing you well ! Keep us all posted as your recovery continues !