Exercise, Lifestyle and Life Experience with Dilated Aorta?

I wholeheartedly endorse what @houston13 says. The takeaway is this: GP are just not qualified to deal with all of the myriad issues involved in aortic disease. If they pooh-pooh you on this point, find a new GP. I love my GP but he and I both know that he's not the right Doc to be reviewing my aortic CT scans. Instead, he has been my referral advocate to get me into the right cardio and thoracic specialists at the University of Minnesota (most or whom trained in Toronto). He is not the quarterback but he is the coach.

I'd also add that I play a HUGE role in my own care. I do not just show up and do what I'm told. I ask questions. I educate myself. I challenge assumptions. I am an integral part of my own care team. When your doctor knows you are that patient they respond positively because they know that they need to bring their A-game since you brought yours. I have no doubt that I know more about aortic vasculature than my GP because its all I ever think about. The minute you let off of your own curiosity and need to be healthy is the day that your docs do, too. It's my life and I intend to be here for as long as I can. Peace.

@patti14 Hi Patti, my brother is Canadian (I just got back from seeing him) and he had a brain aneurysm that bled and had to be emergency treated, and then of course the follow up. I know how some times it can be difficult to get referred to the right specialist. In his case his follow up was not the best and 3 years later he had a second bleed that almost killed him. I highly recommend that you insist your GP refers you to a cardiologist who is an aortic specialist, you may want to do research on your own and come prepared, and of course a cardiothoracic surgeon, but that can be after since your aneurysm is not large. At least that is my recommendation.

There have been several cases of aneurysms in my family, I also had a brain aneurysm that was repaired (found as I got checked after my brother's first bleed). We went through genetic testing, my cardiologist is an aortic disease specialist and a geneticist, no known markers were found, so he believes my family has a yet to be identified marker. We have gone through genetic testing that hopefully will benefit others in the future.

He also checks my valve every year (and the aortic graft, same as what Moonboy described) and orders full aortic and neck scans every 4 years to ensure no new aneurysms are appearing. He answers questions regarding exercise and other activities, BP, etc and that and the level of care I get, I would think a generalist cardiologist would not address.

all the best to you!!

@moonboy I know I insist a lot on this, but it has been very important for me as I have family propensity to aneurysms and a bicuspid aortic valve, and I know it has made a difference to others in the forum, I will add a third category:

Aortic Disease Specialist (cardiologist with focus on aortic diseases not a surgeon) = A cardiologist whose focus and research has been on aortic diseases, they are very important as they understand the proper follow up and any restrictions you may have (exercise, activities, BP, etc) will interact with Cardiothoracic Surgeon (best case). The surgeon will not see you as frequently (especially if your aneurysm is small) and will see you once or twice after surgery and then never again (unless you get another aneurysm), the cardiologist will follow you up for life. These specialists will see way more patients than a surgeon since not all patients with dilations/aneurysms will need surgery. As you say not all cardiologists are aortic disease specialists, some of them are generalists or focus on other areas

Cardiologists = Pill prescribers.

Interventional Cardiologists = Pills. Minor Stents and Stent Grafts generally inserted with a thin tube via your femoral artery(ies). Angioplasty.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons = Surgeons who do open heart surgeries and sew in dacron grafts to repair burst of aneurysmal aortas.

The CT is done to measure the size of the aorta and any associated aortic aneurysm. They gauge and monitor the progression in terms of size over time. It gives them a good idea of when you definitely need to have surgery. Think of that aneurysm link a balloon that stretches as it inflates. It gets bigger but not smaller over time. It may be stable if you control your heart rate and blood pressure, but it may not. The CT is a quick and painless way to quickly measure the aortic size. Takes about 20 minutes using contrast dye. I get one at least once and sometimes twice a year. My next one is on March 30, 2026. They are looking at whether there have been any changes to the grafted aorta or the false lumen which is the channel of blood that runs along the aorta and feeds my left kidney. You've got a plan and you need to hammer your GP if she/he fails to refer you to a thoracic specialist. Peace.

@moonboy Thank you so much for your very articulate response. I have made notes on my next steps...
I so appreciate the direction from someone with experience. At least now I know what to advocate for.

I have booked an appointment with my GP (they are the gatekeepers of follow up here in BC)
I have a phone call with the internist to discuss BP... she has ordered a CT scan of the heart which will be done in July 2026.... I believe this has something to do with calcium and influences cholesterol treatment... at least that's my understanding ....or is this the clearer imaging of the aorta??
Thank you again. I can work on BP, nutrition and hydration..
All the best.

@patti14 What you’re feeling right now is completely understandable. You got hit with a lot of information all at once, and it doesn’t sound like anyone gave you a clear plan. That alone can make everything feel worse, including the shortness of breath and anxiety. A 4.1 cm aorta with a bicuspid valve is not an emergency, but it is not something most people just “check in 3 years.” Your instinct there is right. Most people with bicuspid valves get followed much more closely—often yearly. You deserve tighter follow-up than that.

The BP piece matters a lot. Elevated BP puts extra stress on the aorta, and getting that under control is one of the most important things you can do. You’re doing exactly the right thing by tracking it. Many people in this situation end up on meds not just for BP, but to protect the aorta. The ventricular tachycardia finding shouldn’t be brushed off either. Even short runs can make you feel off or breathless. That’s something a cardiologist should look at more closely, even if it ends up being benign. And the shortness of breath—don’t let anyone just label that as anxiety without checking it out. It can be anxiety, but with everything else going on, it deserves a real look. If it were me, I’d push for:
– a cardiologist (not just internist)
– clearer imaging follow-up for the aorta
– a plan for BP control
– a closer look at the arrhythmia (monitor, etc.)
and a consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon AFTER recent CT imaging

For activity, keep moving but stay smart—no heavy straining, no breath-holding, no pushing through symptoms. Think steady, controlled, breathable effort. No planking or deadlifting. That “no one has my back” feeling is real—and it usually means you need a better medical team, not that something is being missed. Once you have a plan, things feel a lot more manageable. Follow your instincts. Honestly, most general practitioners and cardiologists don't understand what's necessary for an aortic aneurysm because it's just not something they deal with day to day. You cannot ask your plumber to rewire your house. Doctors are experts in their own subject matter areas, but they have an obligation to make sure that you get in front of the right Expert. I went through an emergency sudden Type A dissection in 2015, and the biggest shift was realizing this is something you manage, not something that just happens to you. You’re catching this early, and that puts you in a strong position. You’re not alone in this, even if it feels that way right now. Peace.

@patti14 I have 2 cardiologists. One of them is very familiar with aorta issues but does not do thoracic surgery. The other is a specialist working in a team that has deep experience in thoracic surgery. I have had 3 disections and still get CTs every 10 months. Look for thoracic specialists and get second opinions. Get your BP down.

@patti14 hi, with an aortic dilation (Aneurysm) and a bicuspid valve you should be seeing a cardiologist who specializes in both an aortic disease specialist), not all of them do and it makes a big difference.
I had a 5.2 aneurysm and a bicuspid aortic valve, my aneurysm was repaired 6 years ago as it was large, the surgeon told me he would look at the valve and if it was still functional and in good shape he would leave it as my natural functioning BV would be better than any artificial valve., that was the case. However, my cardiologist sees me every year and monitors the deterioration and at some point will determine when the valve needs replacement, probably another 4-5 years, now that the aneurysm is gone the valve can be replaced endovascularly . He also monitors my aorta to ensure no other aneurysms are appearing,

Although your aneurysm is small a cardiologist should be evaluating you periodically to determine growth rate and in your case as mine evaluating your valve through an echocardiogram, he/she will also evaluate your BP and recommend medications and other guidance to keep it under control. BP is the worts enemy of an aneurysm.

BTW the bicuspid valve highly likely contributed to the appearance of the aneurysm, there is a known correlation. One thing my cardiologist told me is that I should take antibiotics every time I see my dentist, BAVs are very vulnerable to infections, I talked to my dentist and she knew about it and prescribed the antibiotics.

Again, seeing a cardiologist who is an aortic disease specialist (in my case BAVs also) has made such a difference.

Try to stay calm, your aneurysm is small and you know you have it so you can do something about it, not everyone has that opportunity, same with your valve. As it has been said many times in this forum, stay active and keep in good shape but avoid any exercise that may lead you to hold your breath while exerting, like heavy weight lifting, some abs exercises, etc it is known BP spikes significantly during those intervals.

All the best !!

@patti14
I understand completely
First of all not to see a Doctor for 3 years is a sign to find. New one
Keep your BP down and change your diet
Get yearly scans to see if it has grown
It’s a scary diagnosis but we all have similar stories
Good luck