Systolic pressure and ascending aorta aneurysm

[johnr247]

I am a 50 yr old male in good health. Non-smoker. Bike 20 miles 3-4 times week, walk-jog 3 miles 4-5 days week. At rest 120/68, and HR of 50. Total cholesterol 158, HDL 48, LDL 88. Chest pain after swimming recently. Echo showed 4.4cm ascending aorta aneurysm. No family history. I think chest pain is unrelated, and that I sprained a costochondral joint. Have stopped lifting weights. Bruce stress test yesterday showed normal throughout. At peak I reached 202/90 and a HR of 168. Is that too high of a systolic to atain. What should I strive to keep it below? I am nervous about exercise now.  Thank you for any educated opinions.

[CCFCardio MD2]

Your heart rate and blood pressure look excellent at rest.  Your aortic aneurysm is not large enough to warrant surgical intervention at this time.  This is usually considered when the diameter is greater than 5.5cm or grows rapidly, so this needs to be followed with serial exams by your physician.  Moderate exercise can actually strengthen your aorta and is encouraged.  Swimming and other aerobic exercise is helpful even if your blood pressure gets slightly elevated.  Make sure you are on an optimal dose of a beta blocker.  Avoid heavy weight lifting as this can put very high pressures on your aorta.  You should be in close consultation with a cardiologist or vascular medicine specialist.  

Best of luck.

[nickppatel]

Read up on angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and aneurysms.  Might work better for you than beta blockers.