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thoracic aortic aneurysm and right to left shunt, atrial fibrillation

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Posted 3/26/2014 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Just found this forum today, have read posts in the past about thoracic aortic aneurysms but they are very old. I am 37 and have a 4.3 aneurysm at the root of my aorta. Also, have a right to left shunt and just recently had an ablation for A-Fib. I'm 6'1" 170lbs and like to run, but am scared to... I'v seen several different doctors and some say to run and some say not too... this is frustrating, feels good to run, but get paranoid.. I used to lift weights to stay strong because of back issues, but with the aneurysm I have stopped, and now the back pain is worse than ever... Need to exercise more to stay healthy and ease the anxiety, but don't know... life is miserable!!

Posted 3/26/2014 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
baseball fan,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I saw your post in the anxiety forum and will stop back there but for now I wanted to share with you - this thread is the newest one on this topic and there is a ton of info here. 

Here is a link for the surgeons at Cleveland FYI.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/specialty_search.aspx

I know you are interested in finding the best Dr. you can in TX- I am not promoting any of these hospitals or DRS. merely sharing way I look when I want some names of hospitals and DRS. then I talk with other Drs. and patients who have been treated at or by one of the hospitals.

 

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery

Cleveland Hospital has been at the top with Mayo MN right behind it for several years now.

As far a cardiothoracic surgeon - here is a link for just Texas:

http://www.thirdage.com/d/dr/spcct-18/dallas/texas/cardiothoracic-surgeons

I hope this gets you started on learning all you want right now. I know some of these DRS. do telephone  consultations.  Also when you ask the Drs. about running do they give you an answer to why the do or don't feel you should run?

It must be frustrating as well as fear provoking to have received this dx.  Please continue to talk to us here in the forum or in the anxiety forum.

We have another member that is excellent in responding to members of the Heart Forum.  I will put  out a message for him to read your post.

Thinking of you,

 

Kitt

Posted 3/26/2014 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
thank you very much, I will follow the links.. glad i found this site!!
Posted 3/27/2014 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad you found us too.  Being a member of a forum is  having friends that know where your coming from and what your going through.

'A problem shared is a problem halved'

Continue to talk with us and I will always try my best to find help for you if I do not know the answer myself.

Thank you,

Kitt

 

Posted 3/27/2014 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 5.1cm aortic root aneurysm with moderate regurgitation. My cardiologist recommends light to moderate cardiovascular exercise daily. Bike riding, hiking, jogging... He recommended against extreme spikes in heart rate. Now isn't the time to try to improve my 100 yard dash I guess. :). Light weightlifting is ok in his opinion but not to the point of straining. He said I should be able to lift it 20 times consecutively comfortably. So what is the point IMO. FYI. That is the advice I was given.

In Houston, Dr Joseph Coselli is a well known surgeon when it comes to aortic disorders. From my research he has been a pioneer in aortic procedures.

http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/HeartDoctor/Coselli_profile.cfm
Posted 3/27/2014 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I would ask my Drs what heart rate they feel is safe, and then maybe exercise a bit lower than that heart rate.

Just my $0.02!
Posted 3/27/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Baseball fan,
FYI I am 38yo father of 2 little girls, 7 and 4. I have always been athletic: lifting heavy weights, running races, competing in martial arts... I understand the frustration. Athletics and intense exercise has always been part of my life. Being big and strong has always been part of who I am. I feel as if part of my identity has been stolen. I don't really have advice other than do what you can to stay active. It has been an adjustment for me to dial back my exercise and feel satisfied with a nice hour bike ride.
Posted 3/28/2014 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean, still want to be strong, but cant hit the level I used to to build muscle. trying to balance it all now on diet and exercise to stay strong and healthy for when the day comes to repair the aneurysm. I went from 190 lbs to 165 lbs and look and feel different. major adjustment, need to add weight, but hard to add weight the healthy way when you cant lift. but I have talked to other people with bigger problems then mine dont seem so bad.. feels good to talk to others.. and support and wish them the best..
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