Exercise, Lifestyle and Life Experience with Dilated Aorta?

@mikeneverwired Thanks for this. Very helpful!

@beebo the most important thing is whether you can comfortably handle the 15lbs while breathing through every single rep, even the last one, never hold your breath. If you can comfortably do that, I think you should be OK

@beebo That depends a lot on your condition but I have been using 15 and 20 pound dumbel weights and up to 30 pound kettle bells with no issues. This is more weight than I did before surgery, BTW. I am 20 months post surgery for repair of two ascending aortic aneuyrsms. Listen to your body, though.

Because of my having an aneurysm, I have been limiting myself to pretty light weights. Currently using 12 lb dumbbells. But I’m needing to do a lot of reps to get to it being difficult. Am I Okay moving to 15 lb dumbbells now?

@marytm I went through a similar situation a couple years ago... was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm of 5.4cm and was referred to a surgeon... (Note, these numbers vary a bit depending on how they make the measurement...) That was a wake-up call for sure as I had been blissfully exercising (biking, running, hiking) and living life with no worries prior to this!

I also have thalassemia which means my hemoglobin and hematocrit were very low. They treated this with epo shots prior to surgery and it helped me through the surgery. The surgery was rough (well, I was asleep for it, but the first few days post surgery were no fun) but after only a few months I was back out hiking mountains (albeit slowly and carefully).

Don't freak out and don't resign yourself to worry and misery. This is survivable as I will attest (I'm almost 2 years out from surgery and feel great.. doing anything I want...) Find a good surgeon and get more opinions on next steps... you want to be proactive and not have a dissection. Stay in shape as best you can prior to surgery (walk, walk, walk!) as that will improve your recovery.

I turned 60 next month was diagnosed in February with a family inherited TP 53 mutation and through that they did body scans and found no cancer, but they found the dilated aorta which on MRI measured 4.7 and the CT last week measured to 5.0 they can’t tell me whether it was already a five or how long it’s been like this, nor how fast it will change. I’m at the stage of trying to absorb it this week and trying to find reputable surgeons. Hoping to get into the Mayo Clinic otherwise Duke or San or Institute here in North Carolina.
I saw someone I was referred to last week and he’s got horrible reviews and no warm fuzzy but I did follow through as I was guided too. He said I’m not a walking time bomb but borderline for where they intervene. He said it’s already leaking. But I also have a platelet issue and they’re going to do another bone marrow biopsy to again rollout leukemia and try to find the cause for a dropping from 80 to 60 this year.

No medication’s for anything never been diagnosed with anything really. I’ve always been fairly active. Ran a bunch of half marathons to full marathons, but I always had trouble breathing. Could never swim long distances. I would run out of air. 5foot 5 138lbs.
I have always had anxiety though making everybody else happy and getting things done.
It’s really freaking me out. I suddenly have to change everything and some decisions and goals in life for a suddenly taken away from me. Found this thread because I bought a vibration machine for lymphatic drainage, etc. and it came yesterday and I had the thought to look. Can I use this? And the answer is no.

Still working, but I’m wondering if I have 10 years left to live do I just pack everything up and move to the West Coast to be by my daughters or will I be more of a burden. We’re in my community. There is plenty of people who would do anything for me. Any comments on community or packing it all up and moving somewhere decisions? Even thought about going overseas after a surgery, which is not yet scheduled.

@c130herkengineer ,
I will say one thing. The heart is a muscle and everybody forgets that. My brother was told after a heart attack, that there are only so many reps in the heart. He was on the go if his eyes were open and he was not a long sleeper.

I didn't see a name but to 44m and an aorta, I understand your panic, and depression and all other emotions you have. Your situation is worse and you are younger than I was. Support groups do help. When I was diagnosed with a 3.8 acending aorta aneurysm, I knew nothing and never heard of anyone with one. I was 73 years and older than you were. There has been no increase in the aneurysm so I felt safer but recently I was diagnosed with a heart valve leak. My probelms were cause by radiation to the chest for breast cancer. No doctor explained anything but I saw a note in my records. No doctor will mention the cause or offered any treatment so I have been on my own. I also have lung fibrosis caused by radiation and doctors have continually offered diferent diagnosis like COPD, then emphysema then no diagnosis and now radiation caused lung fibrosis. I went from one to two to three major problems and have no idea what the impart of all three are. I just learned from what you said that the size of the aneurysm is relative to body size. I am a small woman so any good news is good to learn. Keep seeking help and don't think you should tough it out alone. Why did you have symtoms so young? You are too young to have been in Vietnam, but were you in the middle east or worked in chemicals.
I am now 82 but I want to feel good and to know my life issues. Most of us do. They do heart transplants so they may be able to fix your problem and advocate for yourself and seek treatment at one our best US hospitals. I had a brother who was active like you but he had a heart attack at 62, He was overactive and high strung competitive person. He has a tracker and tries to change. He thinks a lot of meat diet is good for him but won't listen to the doctors and go to an extreme almost vegan diet. Bill Clinton had three hearttacks and he is thin as a rail and gave up almost all meat and bad fat. The heart is a muscle and my brother was told that overdoing it can wear it out. Try slow and steady and pray or meditate and don't eat the cows or pigs. Look and embrace changes, because almost nothing has worked for you. Doctors hold your lifeline, grab it and don't let go. I also realize that I can get stricter with my exercise and diet. Don't give up hope and seek help.

I am not as heavy as you but am twice your age (88). The rest of your experiences I could have written myself. A year ago I was diagnosed with ascending aneurysm 4.2 and root 4.5 which a GP found with a stethoscope, con-firmed with a echocardio. I did exactly as you, almost stopped exercise totally and got depressed. But your one sentence got both me and my wife jumping for JOY. Your cardiologist said "at your weight and size, you may only have a dilated aorta" and not necessarily a full blown aneurysm. On average, an aneurysm grows 1/3 rd cm per year. So, you and I have a minimum of 3 years or more before a surgeon would need to repair our aneurysms. At least you had a cardiologist diagnose your situation, we do not have a specialist in Juneau AK. But, I am back to exercising and getting more confidant every day when I read others aorta problems. Good luck.

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@gocougs you'll find that there are a number of people out there with similar stories who continue to stay active. I am younger than you (late 50s) and on the edge of requiring surgery. I have done competitive marathoning and rowing and have had to cut back on the intensity of my workouts, and to start a low dose regimen of statin and bp meds. My diagnosis likewise came as a shock and it took a while to adjust mentally. I might suggest that you check out the Aortic Athletes group on Facebook. You'll find others in a similar situation and there are some helpful videos from doctors about what exercise thresholds are permissible (a subject of some dispute among doctors) and from athletes who have made a similar journey . For example, one guy profiled ran the Boston Marathon (albeit at a much slower pace) about six months after having open heart surgery, and another recent video had an interview with a world class triathlete who had surgery and who continues to compete, but at a more moderate level. Given your fitness level you sound like an excellent candidate for surgery who can look forward to a strong recovery and a return to your active lifestyle. You'll be fine, but the shock is understandable, and so be prepared to give it some time.