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  • 1.  Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-04-2021 16:12
    Hi, I'm a 50 years old male from Toronto, 220 lb, just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation of 42mm.
    I've been moderately exercise, 5-10km of walking a day and some home exercise, pushups, crunches, squats,  dumbbells for up to 25lb each.
    For now I got an advice from my doctor only to avoid heavy lifting, so I'm curious what it means, could I still keep on using dumbbells? Who I should ask for a professional advice on the excercise plan for me?
    I live in Toronto / Canada.
    Thanks!!!

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    DRAGO
    Software developer
    MISSISSAUGA ON
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  • 2.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 08:33
    Hi Drago,

    They usually say about 50lb should be the limit but it is not very consistent. Cardiologist usually discourage people from lifting weighs however Cardio Surgeons are more lenient. I am not a doctor but 4.2 cm is under mild so you might have to check with your doctor. Did they check the rest of the aorta and do you have enlargement in other parts? In my case I have root and ascending aorta enlarged so it is a double bummer. Here are two videos from the Cleveland Clinic that discuss various topics about this disease and one of them has the weigh lifting question:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pzyCvrZ4rE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rgzcq0Sq2g

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    Goran A
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  • 3.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 17:20
    Thanks Goran!

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    DRAGO
    Software developer
    MISSISSAUGA ON
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  • 4.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-06-2021 07:06
    Drago,

    I'm not a doctor but I have had a lot of experience dealing with my own sports medicine issues, including as a long distance runner (back in the day), serious weightlifting and advanced bodyweight/gymnastics style workouts, so take this for what it's worth.

    We are each of us an experiment of one.  You are a large 220 pound 50 year old man who sounds very physically active (walking 3-6 miles a day plus bodyweight strength training), seemingly very fit.  Lifting 25 pound dumbbells  for you is likely a whole different ballgame than it would be for a 120 pound woman or a 70 old 160 pound man.  When I was your age, twenty years ago, I was push pressing 220 pounds overhead and my warmup weight for dumbbell presses began at 65 pounds.  In those days, 25 pound dumbbells might have been something I used to show off what I could press using a couple of fingers.  Even after recovering from quintuple bypass surgery ay age 67, not having lifted in three months and with my sternum still healing, I was doing 20 pound dumbbell presses with little effort.  For some other people, though, lifting 20 pounds might have seemed a superhuman task.

    What I'm saying to you is that you should discuss this with your doctor but he or she needs to take into account your overall physical situation.  One size does not fit all.  The same treatment regime cannot apply to an elite Olympic athlete and to an obese couch potato, to use an extreme example.  If your doctor can't or won't consider this, find another who will.

    Good luck,

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 5.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 09:32
    Hi Dragon-  You should definitely get that advice from your doctor. I have a 4.3 ascending aortic aneurysm and I can tell you that I have seen specialists at some of the best hospitals in Boston. The amount that it is OK to lift is usually somewhere around 40 to 50 pounds however it's more about whether or not you are straining when you left rather than an exact weight.  When you are picking something up, you should be able to breathe and talk regularly and not Strain.   Hope that helps!

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    Michelle Pratt
    SOUTHWICK MA
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  • 6.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 12:01
    Drago,
    Your exercise program sounds excellent for a healthy 50 year old. Walking 5 to 10 km (3 to 6 miles) a day plus home exercise including crunches, squats sounds fine. Unfortunately, push ups and dumbbells can spike your blood pressure and put an excessive strain on the heart.  Rather than a getting advice form a physical trainer, I would ask your cardiologist for guidance on weight training.  He may ask you to exclude push ups and weights.  You should also consider tennis, golf and swimming as the weather gets warmer.
    Good luck,
    Vic

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    Victor Fabry, CEO
    Greylock Advisors, LLC
    Short Hills, New Jersey
    fvfabry@gmail.com
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  • 7.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 15:54
    Best to ask the doctor!
    give him the details of what your your workout is and ask him what to modify!
    you sound like an Oymplian to me

    Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
    Mobile: (214)850-0655




  • 8.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 17:22
    Thanks :)

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    DRAGO
    Software developer
    MISSISSAUGA ON
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  • 9.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 03-05-2021 18:03
    Hi Drago

    i was recently diagnosed with a 4.8 cm dilation of the ascending aorta via ultrasound.  Recently had a ct scan to verify and it measured 4.6 cm. Cardiologist told me no lifting over 30lbs and nothing that will cause straining. Talk to your cardiologist he/she will know best. Keep up the walking and other activities!

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    Erin Feaker
    IA
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  • 10.  RE: Male 50yo just diagnosed with Aortic Root Dilatation 42mm

    Posted 05-12-2021 04:11
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    carlo pinini
    Engineer
    TDLS
    Miami FL
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