Travel/Newly Diagnosed

I can imagine this discovery was surprising. How was it discovered? Any symptoms? There are options. How soon before your cardiologist visit? That will likely help you feel better.

My brother has one due to a car accident. His doctor recommended monitoring only and he is doing well, stays active and has a physical job. He’s 59 and got it 4 years ago.

My dad also has one, similar to yours. It was just discovered, but he has a long history of heart issues starting in 2000 with a quadruple bypass. He’s 87.

I hope you get some feedback. I don’t have much to offer, but support. Best wishes with everything.

1. Safety of Air Travel with an aTAA of 4.3 cm:

Generally, it is considered safe to fly with an aTAA of 4.3 cm, as it is below the threshold typically considered dangerous (usually around 5.0-5.5 cm). However, individual circumstances can vary.
Potential risks include changes in air pressure and the physical strain associated with travel, but these are generally minimal with modern aircraft cabin pressure controls.
Precautions include staying well-hydrated, avoiding heavy lifting, and wearing compression stockings to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
2. Immediate Medical Concerns and Consultation:

Ideally, you should consult with a cardiologist before flying to get personalized medical advice and ensure no immediate interventions are needed.
If a cardiologist is not available, consider visiting an urgent care or emergency room to get a quick evaluation, including an ECG and possibly an imaging study if there are concerning symptoms.
Be aware of signs such as sudden chest or back pain, shortness of breath, or fainting, and seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
3. Fitness and Exercise Modifications:

Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and gentle cycling are generally safe. Focus on maintaining fitness without pushing to high intensities.
Avoid heavy lifting, high-intensity interval training, or any activities that cause a significant spike in heart rate or blood pressure.
Yoga can be continued, but opt for less intense forms and avoid positions that involve significant strain or holding breath.
4. General Health and Lifestyle Considerations:

Manage anxiety through mindfulness practices, meditation, or seeking support from a mental health professional.
Follow a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
Continue to monitor and control blood pressure diligently, as hypertension is a significant risk factor for aneurysm progression.
5. Monitoring and Follow-Up:

Regular follow-up with a cardiologist is crucial. Typically, aneurysms of this size are monitored with imaging studies every 6-12 months.
Be vigilant for symptoms of aneurysm progression, such as increased pain, changes in blood pressure, or new neurological symptoms.
Conclusion:
It is generally safe for you to fly with an aTAA of 4.3 cm, but it is essential to take precautions and consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Adjust your exercise routine to avoid high-intensity activities and focus on low-impact exercises. Manage your overall health through diet, lifestyle modifications, and regular medical follow-up to monitor your condition. If any new or severe symptoms arise, seek medical attention immediately.

Hello @sabrinaivey - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Reaching out to others with experiences to help learn as much as you can while maintaining your lifestyle and staying safe is a great sign that you are processing this difficult diagnosis as best you can. I'd like to invite @degarden_girl and @robinwe239 who discussed flying with this diagnosis. It is probably best to ask a cardiologist for a more definitive recommendation - is there a way you can send this question before your appointment if it does not line up with your travel plans?

@leonh also started a discussion recently on wanting to get back to exercising and their love of bicycling (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/exercise-1/). @kj10, @malcorozan, @bryanfox and @mermaid1 also discussed exercising with an aortic aneurysm and some of the anxiety that comes with that.

Thank you, that was an amazingly thorough and thoughtful reply.

Thank you!

I was travelling heavily right before I had a massive dissection on a business trip. The day before, we had a spare travel day and we were also out running around in the Anza Borrego Desert near San Diego when it was 113F degrees. Big mistake. It nearly cost me my life. Heat raises blood pressure. Stay cool, don't stress, relax, and don't do any exercises that require you to hold your breath (Valsalva maneuver) and no planking. Just take it easy. Lots of walking but no deadlifting. Peace.

Hello, I am so glad you are a survivor! I'm kind of new here so I don't know if maybe you have this information on this site already and I just don't know how to find it: I'm wondering did you know prior to your massive dissection that you had an aneurysm? How big was it before it dissected? Thanks.

1. I knew it was dissecting because it felt like someone was tearing the skin off my back. It was excruciating pain. The worst thing I have ever felt.
2. I don't have any idea how big it was because I had no idea I had the aortic aneurysm.
3. I was at a hotel in San Diego when it happened. I must have sensed something was very wrong before it fully dissected. The year after the dissection happened I went back to San Diego and stopped by to see the hotel clerk who saved my life by calling 911. He told me the following: First, I called the front desk and asked him to bring me some antacid. Very weird. I would never expect a hotel clerk to leave the desk and bring something (I travel a lot). He said I was very agitated when he refused to leave the front desk alone and then I hung up on him. (Again, I cannot imagine what I was thinking when I asked him this. I would never make a request like this--ever.) Second, a few minutes later I called the front desk person again and asked him to come up to my room and sit with me. (Again, this is the most bizzare request I have ever made and I cannot remember anything or any reason I would have done this. I am sure by that point I was in sheer panic and thought I was going to die.) He said that when he refused this request, I hung up on him. Third, he said I called the front desk again and told them I was having a heart attack. Then I ran out of my room in bare feet and sat down in the hotel shuttle drop off area. I remember that because I made the decision to leave that hotel with no phone, keys, wallet or shoes because I knew I was dying and did not want to die in that hotel room. My thought was that my best shot at survival was outside where someone could find me. The next thing I knew it was three weeks later and I was spiraling up from a coma in the UCSD Cardiac ICU.

Moral of the story? Aortic dissections impact blood flow to every area of your body, including your brain. Do not ignore this condition if you have it. Have planned surgery because you likely will not survive a full blown dissection if it happens. If a thoracic surgeon (or two) tells you that you need to have surgery, LISTEN. They want to save your life because they know how lethal this is. If I knew then what I know now, I would have had the surgery 100 times out of 100. Peace.

Thanks for the detailed information. A truly amazing story. 45 years ago my dad never got diagnosed until his autopsy. 45 years ago medicine was not as advanced. Both he and his doctor thought it was acid reflux and he was taking anti acid. Then he dropped dead. I only mention that because you strangely asked the hotel clerk to bring you anti acid. I am so thankful mine was diagnosed and I feel safe now that doctors are watching it, if and when they say surgery is needed (they are estimating it’s 50-50 I will need surgery in my lifetime) I won’t hesitate a second! Thank you again for sharing.

Quick question for anyone who can answer this, I postponed my trip and need to see someone about my TAA but I don't know who to see. Do I see a general cardiologist or do I make an appointment with a thoracic surgeon? The cardiologists seem like they treat basic heart problems, I don't know if they are specialized enough to handle this. However, I also don't want to see a surgeon prematurely if they don't perform monitoring and such, as I am only at 4.3cm. Any help is appreciated. TIA. ~S