What exercise(s)should I not be doing with a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm?

Hi Maryjane,

Information that I found is not specific to certain kinds of exercise or what is considered overdoing exercises. Research does suggest that every case is different and since you are under physician's care, you should consult your physician about the amount of exercise you should be doing on a daily basis and what not to exceed.

My best advice, be prepared at your next visit. Ask all these specific questions to your treating physician since they have all the information about your specific case. As Pat explained, we can only provide you with general information about this condition since there is certainly a chance of enlargement and bursting. This must be carefully monitored.

I apologize that this is not a complete answer for your question. Unfortunately, monitoring and your physician will better be suited to answer this question. Can you keep us updated?

Hi Maryjane - It's not clear from your comments what has caused the enlargement of your abdominal aortic aneurysm. Typical causes include high blood pressure, smoking, hardening of the artery, an infection of the blood vessels, and inherited diseases or genes. Are you under a doctor's care for this? These can enlarge to the point of bursting, and it's important that you're monitored and receiving appropriate treatment. As part of that treatment your physician should be able to give you the best information on what type of physical limitations you do and don't have. Have you discussed your exercise options with your cardiologist? If you have, and didn't get an answer (or the answer wasn't satisfactory) then let us know and we will research this further. We can only provide general information, however, and your cardiologist should be able to provide you with the most specific information as he/she also has access to your medical history and current physical condition.
Take care, Pat