Blood Pressure with aortic aneurysm

I am sure this is a just curiosity question you asked, so this is my prescription. My primary doctor had me measure my blood pressure a few times a day at home for a few weeks after my pressure was high during the pre-diagnosis of my ascending thoracic aorta. My blood pressure was elevated over the two-week time period she had me checking it ranged from 124/75 to 157/98. My doctor placed me on Amlodipine 5 Mg and Atorvastatin 10 Mg. I have ascending thoracic aorta (4.1) and atherosclerosis of the aorta along with a heart murmur. At the time I was walking at least one mile a day on the treadmill beginning and resting at 2.0 and walking at 2.2. As you can tell no huge athlete here. 🙂 I am 72 and retired so no stress and also have hypothyroidism. The medication has helped me but as everyone has a different health background and your doctor will know which road you should travel. I pray you will find my answer helpful.

I had surgery, a Bentall procedure with a bovine aortic valve replacement I am currently 71 years old. I walk with a A Nordic walkers group 3 days a week and work out with light weights and stretches the other days. I don't measure my blood pressure during these activities but I do monitor my heart rate closely. I currently still have a heart murmur and another aortic enlargement, so I just keep moving along.

@kkubsky, I can definitely relate to the scariness of increased blood pressure given s diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm. I've had issues with insomnia and anxiety attacks because of it. I think finding more effective ways to decrease your stress/anxiety is really important, and I hope you will consider that.
In my case, blood pressure was well-controlled for many years with Lotrel 5/10. Then in the months leading up to and including initial diagnosis of the AAA (during which time I found out I had stage 0 genital cancer and needed surgery), it was consistently high (between 165-187/80). My cardio then changed to Lotrel 10/40, which helped but I still had terrible insomnia and anxiety attacks that kept it high. After ~5 months after the change in Lotrel dose, my BP is now consistently under what my cardio (and the vascular surgeon who would do surgery if it becomes necessary) consider reasonable control,

Continued
which is 130/80 or less. The increase in BP meds definitely helped, but I think it was better stress management that helped even more--specifically, an online mindfulness meditation course I've been taking for the past month. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think everyone has something that can help alleviate stress really well, and that is my hope for you.
Take care and all the best navigating these challenges!

I had surgery for an emergency aortic dissection. I have three spots that have been repaired (the root, the arch and desending). I am 6 months out. My Cardiovascular MD said my BP was normal for someone that has not gone through this surgery (130's to low 140s) but wanted my BP in the 120-125 range. I walk at least a mile on my "off" (T,TH) days or I bike for 30 minutes. I lift 5 lb weights on those days. On my exercise days (M,W,F,S) I do 2 miles of walking/biking/treadmill/recumbent or mix it up. I take .25 mg of Metropol. She decided she wanted mine a little lower and we increased the Metropol to a half tab in the evenings. It seems to be working.

My understanding is that situational increase in BP, such as white coat increase in BP when I visit any doctor, is not a major issue. It is when the BP is consistently high. I take my BP for 5 days in a row every month. When it went up in the 150s and 160s over 90s, I called my primary care and she upped my valsartin. I'm now taking 320 valsartan and 25 mg metoprolol and my BP is back down to 117/75. If it creeps back up over the next year, we'll have to figure out another solution.

Kkubsky@
Wow you should have went to the Emergency Room with BP that high you were in what’s call Tacacardia
And are luck luck you did not go into cardiac arrest.
That’s why you have chest pain you need immediate medical attention when this happens.
I’ve been a nurses aid and I had a home health care business.
I came across your story well I was looking for some advice about my husbands aortic aneurysm and he has connective tissue issues as well he getting ready to have a stent put on his aneurysm it has gotten so bad
He also has high blood pressure as do I
My new friend please seek medical attention next time your BP gets so high because you could have cardiac arrest and you won’t have any one who can give you the immediate care you will need to save your life if you are not in a medical facility please
My prayers are with you and I’m sorry you are going threw this
Thank you for sharing your story

I did speak to my cardio about "situational" high blood pressure. He wasn't overly concerned as long as it comes back down and does not stay high. Also said he would be more concerned if the numbers were going up to 180/100+ . I would think it is next to impossible to keep bp at a constant low number. Life happens and some things do get me excited or anxious. Just today I am sure I had a bp spike when there was a wasp in the car flying around..... had a bit of a freak out until it finally flew out the window.

After my operation I was given Metoprolol, I had all kinds of problems with dizziness, I documented it, and the doctor ignored it completely. Three months after the operation I had a Low Flow TIA. Being new at this game, they took me to the hospital in an ambulance. For three days my cardiologist didn't have the guts to show up. They let me go after three days, with no comment. Got a new cardiologist he wouldn't listen either. Put me on Atenolol, over time had the same problem. BP 92/40+, HR 41. He wanted to put me on a pacemaker. I said I have a natural HR of 54 you put me on a beta blocker to lower my heart rate and BP and you want to put me on a &^%$#@! pacemaker. He agreed it might not be a good idea. I eventually had another Low Flow TIA, this time I knew what it was and was able to work through it and find a real cardiologist. The 4th cardiologist took me off all medication and I have been able to control my BP through supplements such as magnesium. I have been off all prescriptions for over three years (too many side effects). At 79 I go to the gym at least 3 times a week. I have doctor PTSD, and it doesn't work taking my BP in the doctor's office. I can give you another 20 stories like the one above. We use my readings. Research studies for your age group. The studies make sense. If your doctor does just the opposite ask them to explain their logic, it may just scare the hell out of you.