Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

It's best to check with your Dr., but mine said nothing over 50 lb and no dead lifts or overhead presses. I'm doing 100 reps with 25 lb and I'm someone who used to leg press 100 lb for 2 sets and 80 lb lat pulldown for 3 sets. It is weird, but I'm getting used to it.

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.

Only weightlifting, nothing over 100lbs. He said cardio was ok when I got the diagnosis a few weeks ago, but in reading various forums since then, it seems like there should still be some sort of restrictions. Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but clearly cardio is going to raise BP, right?

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 @upartist,

I appreciate your post and your interest in continuing to exercise with your cardiac diagnoses. If you haven't discussed these questions with your cardiologist, I would do so right away.

Also, have you considered asking your cardiologist about cardiac rehab? I know that this type of rehab is usually offered after a heart attack or heart surgery, but perhaps a physical therapist could offer you some suggestions on the best exercise program for your heart problems.

Do you generally exercise alone or with others? This is probably an important consideration. While I like to be outdoors when the weather is good, I will often just walk in the nearby neighborhood, with my cell phone nearby, just in case I have any problems.

I also have a membership with my local Y and use their treadmills or exercise bikes in the case of inclement weather.

I look forward to hearing from you again as you develop a plan for your exercise routine.

I'd like to welcome @bbarb and @kj10 to the discussion.

@kj10, it sounds like you are extremely active and work closely with your provider to monitor the safety of your activities. Have you experienced any issues during your activities? It is wise guidance to share with other members that each person's experience may differ.

@bbarb, are you currently exercising and what sort of activities do you like to do?

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.

I'd like to welcome @bbarb and @kj10 to the discussion.

@kj10, it sounds like you are extremely active and work closely with your provider to monitor the safety of your activities. Have you experienced any issues during your activities? It is wise guidance to share with other members that each person's experience may differ.

@bbarb, are you currently exercising and what sort of activities do you like to do?

Thank you UP Artist! Common sense for all of us.
B1

Hello fellow TAAA's. This is a general comment, in support of all of you who are are attempting to stay active. The ascending aortic diseases are extremely variable. Get with your treating physicians and their supporting clinicians to understand your specific contributing etiologies, before you initiate an activity program. Some of us may feel like we are not doing enough as we listen to the stories of the various athletes with aneurysms. Its very good for them, but not for everyone. Sometimes a little to just moderate is enough, sometimes its too much. There is a lot of research going on with familial aortic disease due to the occurrence of premature dissection. The take away is: follow your basic cardiovascular guidelines and really monitor your blood pressure. The blood pressure fluctuates with various activities from weights, to cardio, to daily activities, to body positions (like putting on socks), and to stress levels. So pat yourselves on the back for working towards staying active!!! Stay with your personalized treatment strategies for your particular aortic situation. And most of all, embrace happiness!!!
UPArtist