1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Exercise

Posted by bryanfox @bryanfox, Aug 31, 2019

New to this, nervous (like everyone). 44YO male, 5'10", 195 lb, diagnosed with 4.3cm ascending aortic aneurysm last month. Doctors put me on beta blockers, resting BP around 128/70 since I started with them (it was over 140 before, but only in the last year did I see abnormally high BP). I go to the gym 5 times a week. Cardiologist told me to continue exercising, but not to lift over 100lb (I use machines, not freeweights, so I'm not lifting over 100lb anyway). But I'm curious about cardio as well - I go 3-4 miles on the elliptical 3-4 times a week, and I sweat. I'm sure my BP is raised while doing that. Is this healthy?

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mermaid1 | @mermaid1 | Apr 5, 2023
In reply to @charlanepj "It was explained to me that the exercising where you walk, run, bike, stair step, whatever,..." + (show)
@charlanepj

It was explained to me that the exercising where you walk, run, bike, stair step, whatever, is slowly increased and therefore that is why after exercise your BP normally goes down. The lifting where you hold your breath, grunt or groan and have to exert, then you are done is what is not good. I was lifting a heavy item when my aorta dissected in three places. It was an emergency situation. I previously had been diagnosed with a 4cm anuerysim in the arch. It was 4.5 at the time of dissection and emergency surgery. I will be 70 this year.

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Thank you for sharing your experience! Every now and the ignore the guideline and lift something I shouldn't. Your experience reminds me DO NOT STRAIN.

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1 reply
degarden_girl | @degarden_girl | Apr 5, 2023

It is my understanding and experience that blood pressure actually goes down during strenuous exercise. My BP is quite low when I take it immediately after getting off the strider (eliptical). You can ask your cardio about that. My ascending aneurysm is about the same size and is growing quite slowly over the past 17 years. I'm 78 YO and have been told to not lift more than 25 lbs. I wish you good luck.

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charlanepj | @charlanepj | Apr 5, 2023
In reply to @mermaid1 "Thank you for sharing your experience! Every now and the ignore the guideline and lift something..." + (show)
@mermaid1

Thank you for sharing your experience! Every now and the ignore the guideline and lift something I shouldn't. Your experience reminds me DO NOT STRAIN.

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It’s difficult! Do not strain! Pay someone to do that kind of work now if you have to. Ask someone else! Be kind to yourself! Best wishes.

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amazing | @amazing | May 9, 2023

I am 71 y.o., 6'1" and 245 lbs. and diagnosed with 4.6 cm via MRA about 2-3 years ago when I was working a high stress job. I freaked when I was diagnosed, quit the job, and did nothing for a year physically (and deteriorated) for fear of worsening my condition, and read all I could online about it and learned a lot. On exercising, my cardiologist said that I shouldn't engage in the Valsalva maneuver when exerting, i.e. doing anything that makes me grunt or hold my breath during effort. He said all aerobics are fine and I could do any exercise if adhering to the rule. So currently, since my last office visit, I started a regimen of 1/2 hour rowing, followed by a circuit of weight machine training with weights that I can handle keeping steady breathing in and out, and then 1/2 hour fast walking on treadmill. I am trying to condition my body and lose more calories. There's some contradictory information on-line regarding exercising, and much of the advice is made up, e.g. how much weight should you lift in proportion of your body weight, etc. without taking variables into account. So, in a way, I am my own guinea pig. I see my MD next week and am due soon for my annual scan. We'll see. Anyway, is anybody else engaging in more than just aerobic exercise and if so, what regimen appears safe using resistance exercise in your experience?

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2 replies
upartist | @upartist | May 10, 2023
In reply to @amazing "I am 71 y.o., 6'1" and 245 lbs. and diagnosed with 4.6 cm via MRA about..." + (show)
@amazing

I am 71 y.o., 6'1" and 245 lbs. and diagnosed with 4.6 cm via MRA about 2-3 years ago when I was working a high stress job. I freaked when I was diagnosed, quit the job, and did nothing for a year physically (and deteriorated) for fear of worsening my condition, and read all I could online about it and learned a lot. On exercising, my cardiologist said that I shouldn't engage in the Valsalva maneuver when exerting, i.e. doing anything that makes me grunt or hold my breath during effort. He said all aerobics are fine and I could do any exercise if adhering to the rule. So currently, since my last office visit, I started a regimen of 1/2 hour rowing, followed by a circuit of weight machine training with weights that I can handle keeping steady breathing in and out, and then 1/2 hour fast walking on treadmill. I am trying to condition my body and lose more calories. There's some contradictory information on-line regarding exercising, and much of the advice is made up, e.g. how much weight should you lift in proportion of your body weight, etc. without taking variables into account. So, in a way, I am my own guinea pig. I see my MD next week and am due soon for my annual scan. We'll see. Anyway, is anybody else engaging in more than just aerobic exercise and if so, what regimen appears safe using resistance exercise in your experience?

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Thank you Amazing! Your post was very helpful. I hike with trekking sticks, walk, x-country ski, and kayak. Its the transfer of the kayak, and the enter/exit I struggle with, while trying NOT to use force. Unfortunately my aneurysm appears to have recently enlarged to 44 (soon to be measured again). I have had no guidelines on exercise regarding the aneurysm. My parameters have been loosely laid out in lieu of a comorbidity (angina). My aneurysm has taken a back seat. However, I do follow the posts here. These are helpful. I love cruising through the woods and over the water. I am not fast anymore, but I am still enjoying being able to do it. All the others out there seem to feel the same way. Thank you for your comments!

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1 reply
mermaid1 | @mermaid1 | May 10, 2023
In reply to @amazing "I am 71 y.o., 6'1" and 245 lbs. and diagnosed with 4.6 cm via MRA about..." + (show)
@amazing

I am 71 y.o., 6'1" and 245 lbs. and diagnosed with 4.6 cm via MRA about 2-3 years ago when I was working a high stress job. I freaked when I was diagnosed, quit the job, and did nothing for a year physically (and deteriorated) for fear of worsening my condition, and read all I could online about it and learned a lot. On exercising, my cardiologist said that I shouldn't engage in the Valsalva maneuver when exerting, i.e. doing anything that makes me grunt or hold my breath during effort. He said all aerobics are fine and I could do any exercise if adhering to the rule. So currently, since my last office visit, I started a regimen of 1/2 hour rowing, followed by a circuit of weight machine training with weights that I can handle keeping steady breathing in and out, and then 1/2 hour fast walking on treadmill. I am trying to condition my body and lose more calories. There's some contradictory information on-line regarding exercising, and much of the advice is made up, e.g. how much weight should you lift in proportion of your body weight, etc. without taking variables into account. So, in a way, I am my own guinea pig. I see my MD next week and am due soon for my annual scan. We'll see. Anyway, is anybody else engaging in more than just aerobic exercise and if so, what regimen appears safe using resistance exercise in your experience?

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I’ve been reading about the 100s approach for weight lifting and think this may be a good option. Here’s some info:
https://scarysymptoms.com/2014/09/aortic-aneurysm-safely-build-muscle/

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1 reply
nevadabug | @nevadabug | May 10, 2023
In reply to @lisabis68 "Thank you. I really didn’t have symptoms from the aneurysm- it was discovered on accident really..." + (show)
@lisabis68

Thank you. I really didn’t have symptoms from the aneurysm- it was discovered on accident really from a breast MRI, but thankfully it was. It grew from 4.8- 5.17 in just over a years time. I cut down on exercise- I did things like Piyo using my own body weigh and then resorted to 25 pounds weighted exercises at the gym which were hugely unsatisfying. But once surgery got close and I found out I had the blockage, I quit all exercise, way too nervous. I’m
Just now starting back slowly with cardiac rehab… it is long and slow but better than the alternative. Keep tabs on your sizes and just know that the guidelines have changed to 5.0 to consider surgery. I pushed to have mine done, I could not deal
With the daily anxiety. I wish you luck and good health.

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Was your rep are procedure through open heart or could they do the catheter method? Where did you have your procedure, if you don’t mind me asking?

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1 reply
fjc1962 | @fjc1962 | May 11, 2023
In reply to @lisabis68 "Thank you. I really didn’t have symptoms from the aneurysm- it was discovered on accident really..." + (show)
@lisabis68

Thank you. I really didn’t have symptoms from the aneurysm- it was discovered on accident really from a breast MRI, but thankfully it was. It grew from 4.8- 5.17 in just over a years time. I cut down on exercise- I did things like Piyo using my own body weigh and then resorted to 25 pounds weighted exercises at the gym which were hugely unsatisfying. But once surgery got close and I found out I had the blockage, I quit all exercise, way too nervous. I’m
Just now starting back slowly with cardiac rehab… it is long and slow but better than the alternative. Keep tabs on your sizes and just know that the guidelines have changed to 5.0 to consider surgery. I pushed to have mine done, I could not deal
With the daily anxiety. I wish you luck and good health.

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Thank you for sharing your experience. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm approaching 5.0. I was wondering how you are you doing with your recovery and where did you have your surgery?

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1 reply
amazing | @amazing | May 17, 2023
In reply to @mermaid1 "I’ve been reading about the 100s approach for weight lifting and think this may be a..." + (show)
@mermaid1

I’ve been reading about the 100s approach for weight lifting and think this may be a good option. Here’s some info:
https://scarysymptoms.com/2014/09/aortic-aneurysm-safely-build-muscle/

Jump to this post

Yes, I was aware of them, and tried them once. However, I showed my cardiologist my weight machine exercises and weights, etc. yesterday and he approved the way I use them. My alternative would have been the 100's. I have another MRA scheduled in a month or so, and will confirm hopefully that no ill effects from my regimen. I also learned from him that I can do high interval training on treadmill.

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amazing | @amazing | May 17, 2023
In reply to @bryanfox "Only weightlifting, nothing over 100lbs. He said cardio was ok when I got the diagnosis a..." + (show)
@bryanfox

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?

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I don't think it rises much from your norm once you properly warm up and engage in the exercise from what I've read. How much do you weigh that allows you to life 100 lbs?

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