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enlarged aorta

In 2005 my husband had a heart attack.  He is 51 now, and was 48 at the time.  He is a very healthy man, worked out at the gym 4-6 times a week for the past 30 years, ate whole wheat when it wasn't as popular as it is today, has not had salt in his house for the past 20 years.  His blood pressure and cholesterol have always been perfect.  So I guess the heart attack was genetic.  He had triple bypass and since then has been very healthy.  Last August he had an echo and they found that his aorta is enlarged.  He had another echo last week and it showed that his aorta stayed at 4.0 cm.  So every 6 months we will monitor it.  My concern is that he goes to the gym and lifts weights and does a cardio routine.  I heard that lifting weights can be dangerous if you have an enlarged aorta.  He has resorted to not lifting any more heavy weights but he feels he can still do push-ups, chin lifts, and lighter weight lifting.  I feel he should not do anything that stresses his body.  Why push it?  Because he has worked out most of his life I know he cannot stop doing his exercise routine.  But how dangerous is this and can you suggest the proper exercises he is safe doing.
Thank you, his concerned wife....


This discussion is related to Slightly Enlarged Aortic Root.
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367994 tn?1304953593
When the aorta gets above 4.0 it is called an aneurysm, and with that condition it is necessary to keep blood pressure as low as possible, and heavy lifting weight training raises blood pressure especially at the beginning of the exercise.  

The current exercise routine shouldn't be a problem for a 4.0 cm aorta.
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21064 tn?1309308733
Those are great questions!  Given your husband's excellent management of coronary artery disease risk factors, it must have been shocking when he was told he had a heart attack. That's the frustrating part of CAD.  Despite all of his efforts, genetics ruled.  The great news is, he survived, he is aware, and he is doing well!  I'm sure he wants to just get back to his normal routine and doesn't consider exercise a potential trigger.  However, because of the change in his aorta, I'd definitely talk one-on-one with his cardiologist to determine was is his best approach toward exercise.  I hope you are both well and that you can convince him to double check with his doctor.

Take care and let us know how he's doing and what you find out.  I'm sure other members would be interested in knowing the answer to your questions.

connie
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