Heart Rate and Blood Pressure restrictions with an AAA 4.1cm

I agree- I'm guessing that if we asked a group of doctors to define "moderate" we would get several different answers. I realize that there is no definitive answer- but I'd rather not rely on guesswork or Dr google for this question. By the way- my doctor said NO restrictions and I have a 4.3 dilation in ascending aorta and a 4.5 dilation in my aortic root.

Thank you. This is all relatively new to me, as I was diagnosed 18 months ago with a 4.4 dilation...unchanged since then. While my cardiologist let's me go on hiking/walking vacations, he suggested I stop high intensity interval workouts at my spin class. I'm not sure I understand the difference...meeting with him next week to learn more. Btw, is this forum monitored by Mayo staff and do they ever offer their opinions? Just joined last week...

I agree. I go on hikes from time to time and it can be very strenuous!! Prior to my diagnosis in December, I was getting my heart rate up to 150/160 3 to 5 times per week on a bike. My doctor said that was fine for me to continue doing. Given all the uncertainty on this topic here- I've decided to scale back to 120/130..... I have an appointment and more tests at Mayo next month- I will be trying to get a better understanding of the disparity and lack of clarity of medical advice here.

I'm surprised that s/he said you have no restrictions. It seems like every source I've encountered indicates you should avoid straining (valsalva maneuver -- holding your breath to poop or lift heavy weights). That apparently causes your blood pressure to spike significantly.

That said, I gather 4.3 (same size as mine) is relatively small. I've seen comforting data on absolute risk of dissection at that size. It's harder to get data on growth rates. Apparently they are all over the place and an average doesn't tell you much because there is so much variability. I was just poking around and turned up this article: https://cardiothoracicsurgery.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13019-022-01761-6 which indicates average growth rate for most people could be like .01cm/year. If we get lucky and have 0.01cm/year, then we have 70 years until we reach 5.0 cm where surgery seems to be discussed. 🙂 Unfortunately, I am not in the medical community and can't evaluate whether the study is a good one and even in this study, growth rates are all over the place. And who knows if we'll get the average. Fingers crossed.

Mine is 4.3 also and two cardiologist’s both told me the same thing. Don’t lift anything over 30lbs, working out is fine just keep the weight at 30 or under and make sure I exhale on every muscle contraction regardless of what I’m doing. It’s amazing how often a person holds their breath just doing life. What I can’t figure out is why they don’t do surgery when it’s at 4 instead of restricting peoples lives. Any work I’ve ever done required lifting more than 30 lbs. Now I’m out of work and my insurance rates just went through the roof. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I have an AA aortic aneurysm 4.3 cm. I do not smoke and was given strict instructions to exercise regularly maintain blood pressure of 130/72 and no strenuous lifting or pushing or pulling. My question is what is the highest heart rate while exercising I should have.

It’s crucial to find a balance between staying active and not putting too much strain on your heart. For moderate-intensity exercise, which is generally safe for individuals with an AA, you should aim for 50-70% of your maximum heart rate (MHR). To calculate your MHR, subtract your age from 220; for instance, if you're 50, your MHR is 170 beats per minute (bpm). This means your target heart rate should be between 85 and 119 bpm during exercise. It's important to consult with your cardiologist before starting or adjusting your exercise routine to get personalized advice. Additionally, always monitor for symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue, and stop exercising immediately if you experience any of these. Regular check-ups are also crucial to keep track of your aneurysm and overall cardiovascular health. Staying active is essential, but it’s equally important to exercise safely. Finding that balance can be tricky, but with the right guidance and careful monitoring, it's definitely doable. Stay safe and healthy! Peace.

I was told that they do not operate before 5 cm because the surgery is significant with various risks including fatality. They also said that if guidelines are followed it is possible it will not reach 5 cm before someone gets old and finally goes from something else. Very frustrating but is not as simple as having a knee replaced for example.

My abdominal aneurysm is just over 4 cm and as regard surgery I was also told by the Vascular Surgeon from Lahey that at this size, surgery risks significantly out weigh any problems that might arise with aneurysm. Just keep monitoring it, apparently once a year is appropriate.

My AA was found at 4cm and then I was told to get yearly checks. My first year came and went and I called the local cardiologist to see when my appointment would be. I was on a waiting list. I kept calling to see when I could get in. Finally, after 4 months of no luck getting an appointment I went to my local doctor. It was a Friday. She did some blood work and said she would work on getting me my appointment. She could probably get it faster than I. On Mon. she called and gave me a prescription for a high does of vitamin D3, it was low. On Wed. I had an emergency aortic dissection (I never heard of such a thing - I had no idea). I was simply on watch, never changed my lifestyle, and didn't think it was a big deal. I was on no other medications. I am 2 years out of my surgery and I am now approaching 71 YO (female). Since my surgery I have been told the same as you are being told now. However my restriction is no lifting anything that causes me to grunt, moan, groan, hold my breath. My point being is the results are the same whether you have surgery or not. There are plenty of jobs to do without lifting. This morning I finished a 14.5 mile bike ride in an hour. I started by walking one minute every hour I was awake, after surgery. Good luck and just in your doctors.