Aa
Enlarged Aorta
I have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure. The average reading throughout the day during a 24 hr test was 180/101. I have also been told that I have an enlarged aorta (40mm). My cholesterol is low and my blood vessels are not blocked at all. I have to go back for more tests but I am obviously worried about the long term prognosis. Can anyone give me any ideas? I have been given medication for the BP
Also, I was a competitive athlete for 18 years. After retiring I took up competitive powerlifting a year ago (maximum lifts in squat, deadlift and benchpress). Can anyone advise me whether it is a good idea to continue this or not? I have recently become the British champion and British record holder but at the end of the day my health is more important.
I would really appreciate any advice.
Also, I was a competitive athlete for 18 years. After retiring I took up competitive powerlifting a year ago (maximum lifts in squat, deadlift and benchpress). Can anyone advise me whether it is a good idea to continue this or not? I have recently become the British champion and British record holder but at the end of the day my health is more important.
I would really appreciate any advice.
"When you said you were a powerlifter, I suppose I automatically assumed you were 6'5""
Maybe it's the muscle bulk that always makes them look short and wide on the tv, but I am shocked they are usually very tall. Is that normally the case? I always thought it was harder work for a taller person to lift heavy weights over their heads. I know in the building trade, the shorter a person the less back trouble they had from lifting.
Maybe it's the muscle bulk that always makes them look short and wide on the tv, but I am shocked they are usually very tall. Is that normally the case? I always thought it was harder work for a taller person to lift heavy weights over their heads. I know in the building trade, the shorter a person the less back trouble they had from lifting.
When you said you were a powerlifter, I suppose I automatically assumed you were 6'5" and 300 lbs. You're obviously not, and 4.0 for a person your size is troubling, especially given your very high BP.
If you want my opinion, I'd say quit lifting altogether until you can get things straightened out. By straightened out, I mean, at a minimum: 1) lower BP dramatically, 2) figure out if your aorta is progressing or remaining stable, 3) determine if your aorta responds to ARB therapy if your doctor will permit it.
If you want my opinion, I'd say quit lifting altogether until you can get things straightened out. By straightened out, I mean, at a minimum: 1) lower BP dramatically, 2) figure out if your aorta is progressing or remaining stable, 3) determine if your aorta responds to ARB therapy if your doctor will permit it.
For some insight; Identifying dilation of the aorta implies the ability to determine the aorta's normal size for an individual. It is understood that the aorta's size will vary across any given population based on age, gender and body size. Broad ranges of aortic diameters sometimes listed as the normal size of the aorta necessarily span a large variation of body sizes in the population and may be misleading regarding a given individual.
It is important that every effort is made to determine the normal aortic diameter for each individual in order to detect the early stages of aortic expansion due to underlying aortic disease (disease relates to walls of the vessel and its ability not to expand normally to accommodate higher pressure...makes the vessel vulnerable to rupture).
Generally, in the majority of patients that part of the aorta that is not enlarged may be used as an indicator of what is normal for that individual. You may ask your doctor if a comparison with a normal size was done or just accepted the 4.0 as an enlarged aorta based on the general reference guide. Take care.
It is important that every effort is made to determine the normal aortic diameter for each individual in order to detect the early stages of aortic expansion due to underlying aortic disease (disease relates to walls of the vessel and its ability not to expand normally to accommodate higher pressure...makes the vessel vulnerable to rupture).
Generally, in the majority of patients that part of the aorta that is not enlarged may be used as an indicator of what is normal for that individual. You may ask your doctor if a comparison with a normal size was done or just accepted the 4.0 as an enlarged aorta based on the general reference guide. Take care.
Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. One thing I forgot to mention is that I'm 5ft 9, 74kgs and have 6% body fat. Not sure that would make a difference.
Paul
Paul
By the way, I must really emphasize two more things:
1) You absolutely must get your BP down - besides affecting your aorta, it can contribute to all kinds of nasty health problems. Eat right (lots of fruits and vegetables and fish; reduce meat, salt, fat and calories), do moderate aerobic exercise (follow you Dr's suggestions), and take your meds.
2) You should investigate angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. Click on my screenname to see many posts I have made on the topic in the past. It is a class of drugs that stops aortic root expansion IF TAKEN IN SUFFICIENTLY HIGH DOSAGES FOR YOUR BODY SIZE. This can mean taking the max dosage or more if you are a very large man. I'm not sure how relevant ARB therapy is in your case, however, since you might have a larger aorta due to extreme athletic activity for 20 years and not due to any real aortic pathology.
1) You absolutely must get your BP down - besides affecting your aorta, it can contribute to all kinds of nasty health problems. Eat right (lots of fruits and vegetables and fish; reduce meat, salt, fat and calories), do moderate aerobic exercise (follow you Dr's suggestions), and take your meds.
2) You should investigate angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. Click on my screenname to see many posts I have made on the topic in the past. It is a class of drugs that stops aortic root expansion IF TAKEN IN SUFFICIENTLY HIGH DOSAGES FOR YOUR BODY SIZE. This can mean taking the max dosage or more if you are a very large man. I'm not sure how relevant ARB therapy is in your case, however, since you might have a larger aorta due to extreme athletic activity for 20 years and not due to any real aortic pathology.
You are a very special case. A 4.0 does begin to get into "aneurysm" range as kenkeith suggested, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule, and there are many variables to take into account.
Increased aortic size corresponds to male sex, height, weight, age, blood pressure, and athletic level. In your case, I am probably safe in assuming that ALL those factors are positive. In other words, you are male, you are large, you are very athletic, and you have high BP.
A report from a few years back indicated that the average Olympic powerlifter has an aortic root of 4.1cm, 1 mm larger than yours.
I think you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who can definitively comment on your situation. A 4.0 root in the average person is one thing, but you are very different, so 4.0 may be "normal" for you. MY opinion is that powerlifting is bad (I used to be a weightlifter myself) for everyone, in that it induces cardiovascular changes which are not necessarily good for you. I would suggest you limit or cease heavy lifting and instead focus on lighter lifting (or none at all) and aerobic exercise. (I know, no weightlifter likes to hear those words.)
I'm not a doctor, so don't rely on what I say for medical advice. Just my opinion. You might Google and e-mail Dr. John Elefteriades, who is a known expert in aortic pathology and exercise.
God bless.
Nick
Increased aortic size corresponds to male sex, height, weight, age, blood pressure, and athletic level. In your case, I am probably safe in assuming that ALL those factors are positive. In other words, you are male, you are large, you are very athletic, and you have high BP.
A report from a few years back indicated that the average Olympic powerlifter has an aortic root of 4.1cm, 1 mm larger than yours.
I think you will be hard-pressed to find anyone who can definitively comment on your situation. A 4.0 root in the average person is one thing, but you are very different, so 4.0 may be "normal" for you. MY opinion is that powerlifting is bad (I used to be a weightlifter myself) for everyone, in that it induces cardiovascular changes which are not necessarily good for you. I would suggest you limit or cease heavy lifting and instead focus on lighter lifting (or none at all) and aerobic exercise. (I know, no weightlifter likes to hear those words.)
I'm not a doctor, so don't rely on what I say for medical advice. Just my opinion. You might Google and e-mail Dr. John Elefteriades, who is a known expert in aortic pathology and exercise.
God bless.
Nick
An enlarged aorta at 4.0cm begins to get into the aneurysm range. Your doctor may be interested to watch to insure there is no rapid progression of the size. Management of BP is important to keep under control. Heavy lifting can spike the blood pressure and may be contraindicated...may be a 4.0 is not very enlarged for you as an individual...but you should consult with your doctor about heavy lifting. Take care.
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