Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

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

I am new to the thread and see the posts are a few years old, but my experience has been positive in terms of exercise.

I am 65 and take blood pressure meds which work well for me. My ascending aortic aneurism measures 4.3cm. I am an avid bikers and compete in various events. My heart rate will consistently climb into the 180’s during full exertion. My cardiologist is not concerned with my activities. We have been following the aneurism for two years without any changes. I also lift weights with no restriction and water and snow ski.

There is a study out of Harvard that has followed older elite endurance athletes with ascending aneurisms. It is too early to say but in the conclusion of the study there is a comment that these types of aneurysms could be an adaptation to endurance exercise. I contacted the lead author and he was quick to caution me that it is far too early to draw a conclusion. There is a similarity to increases ventricle size as an adaptation to endurance exercise. I would also suggest speaking with your cardiologist for guidance. I may be an outlier in terms of no exercise restrictions.

Here is the article citation from JAMA Cardiology February 26, 2020;

Association of Ascending Aortic Dilatation and Long-term
Endurance Exercise Among Older Masters-Level Athletes

TimothyW. Churchill, MD; Erich Groezinger, MS; Jonathan H. Kim, MD; Garrett Loomer, MS; J. Sawalla Guseh, MD; Meagan M.Wasfy, MD;
Eric M. Isselbacher,MD, MHCDS; Gregory D. Lewis, MD; Rory B.Weiner, MD; Christian Schmied, MD; Aaron L. Baggish, MD

@upartist: Thanks for replying and the well wishes. Hope the visit with the aorta doctor was productive. Yours sounds like a complicated case. Hang in there,

Hi bitsygirl. No I am not in that area you mentioned, in Michigan. My signature has a different meaning. But thanks for asking. I hope you are doing ok with your dilated aorta.

I have a 4.3 ascending one also and play pickleball, hip hop dance exercise, garden, walk, in general, live a normal life. I make sure I don’t do anything that gets me totally out of breath but I do push myself and enjoy life. Other than that, I’m healthy 69 yo that hopes to live s long time😀

Thank you. Good advice.

@upartist: I noticed your signature while trolling this thread. I follow the thread because I have a dilation of my ascending aorta. I wondered whether you are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If not, I ask because it's commonly called the UP. Also I live in the UP and know we have lots of artists! There are not that many of us here ... here together on the UP. 🙂

I would strongly urge you not to have this stress test. You don't need to stress that aneurysm wall. What possible good is a stress test going to do? Does she have reasons for doing this? What are those reasons? Is this going to change something about your care?
Sometimes I wonder where our physicians come up with these ideas? (In my own life time I have avoided a lot of procedures and medical care simply by asking questions and saying no when it made no sense to me.)
Your resting blood pressure seems just a little high. You need to talk to a sub specialist cardiologist that has lots of experience with aneurysms.

Thank you and charlanepj. I appreciate your sharing your experiences with me. It is so helpful! I am definitely nervous about taking the nuclear stress test; but hopefully, when I have a follow up visit, we can discuss the reason she feels I need it. Having information helps me make informed decisions.

This is in reply to charlanepj and and debbieh5. The nuclear stress test has been brought up a few times with me by my local docs. However, it hasnt happened yet. I am unsure about it as well. I wanted my Mayo cardiologist to weigh in first. I see the aorta doc this week, and will definitely follow his direction. Your posts, both of you, are extremely helpful!!!!! Thanks!!!!