Aortic Aneurysm

[marvy1]

Hello. I have been diagnosed with an Aortic Aneurysm. My cardiologist put me thru an Echo Cardiogram and an MRA (similar to an MRI, but it looks at the arteries). He just told me the prognosis, which is watch and wait. The Aneurysm is at least 3 years old and may have been there for a number of years.
So, I'm OK. I was just wondering if anyone else on this forum has any experience with this condition. I am going to take it slow for now. Any other suggestions?
Thanks. MarvinH

[Dangerscouse]

Woah, that sounds very serious. Take care

[ddcccdddd]

Scary sounding condition. I don't have any advice, just wish you health and good luck. Generally I would listen to your doctors, not people on the internet when it comes to treatment or advice

[marvy1]

Yes dd, I will follow doctors orders. He did tell me I can exercise.
Thanks! Marvinh

[marvy1]

Woah, that sounds very serious. Take care

Hi Danger, yes. I'll be careful. Thanks. Marvinh

[mict450]

Must be of relatively small size and benign location. Going slow is great advice. Keep exercising but no TT, PB, finding HRmax or anaerobic threshold work. Anything approaching max B/P or heart rate is verboten. Personally, I would confine my exercise to UT2, exclusively, if I were to continue erging. Life style changes, if not already implemented would include, no tobacco, low fat, low cholesterol diet, control of B/P, blood sugar, etc, etc...I'm sure your cardiologist has already given you a host of do's and don't's.

Former RN, worked in Cardiac Telemetry, Medical Telemetry and Cardiac Care Unit. To my limited experience, this condition does not improve. Best case senario is limiting the size/extent of aneurysm, as it presently is. But, advances in medicine happen frequently. I've been retired for close to 2 yrs, so am rather out of the loop.

Best wishes to you & keep seeing your cardio as per schedule.

[marvy1]

Hi Mict450. Thanks for your encouraging words. Yes, I will follow all my doctor's advice. Can you clarify your abbreviations including 'TT", PB and UT2? Thank you. MarvinH

[mict450]

TT = time trials
PB = personal best
UT2 = heart rate zone, 60 -70 % of heart rate reserve. Can carry on a conversation, breathing easily, while exercising in this zone.

TT & PB working above 85% HRR, at least. Breathing hard, one, two word conversation at best.

[JoeCruse]

I would ask the doc to be a LOT more specifc than "yes, you can exercise". As in, how gentle or hard can you go with aerobic stuff like the Concept 2 (how hard and long would the doc allow on the heart rate)? What about anaerobic stuff (also Concept 2, weight training, etc)? I'd want more specifics from my doc before I started anything.

[marvy1]

Hello JoeCruise. Yes. I have an app't with my cardiologist next week. Hi already told after seeing the MRI that I should avoid hi cardio exercises like weight lifting, etc. And when rowing I should be able to carry on a conversation. I will get more specific in person with the doctor. Thanks for your response. Marvinh

[Joebasscat]

Curious as to what your symptoms were that caused you to be tested?