Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
I Just Got A Diagnosis That Worries Me.. I Had
Question: I just got a diagnosis that worries me.. I had a echocardiogram and it showed that I have mildly dilated ascending aorta at 3.8.. is this life threatening? Looking at my past echos it has shown that I have had it since 2017 and it has not changed.. it has stayed the same..the new doctor told me he did not want me to exert myself no more than 20 min of exercise 5 days a week.. I exercise 7 days a week now with 3o min on the bike and 30 minutes on the elliptical plus I do weights ..low weights 8 pds .. do I really need to cut back so much.. is it a dangerous condition? What caused this? They were checking on my mitral valve and found this.. I have not had any symptoms.. I do occasionally have high blood pressure when stressed.. most of the time my bp is good.. so they also made me take a pill for high bp Norvasc 5 mg.. I hate how I feel with this pill.. does it cause depression.. I feel awful! Is this a condition is real serious? I am a 62 year old female and I want my energy back! My blood pressure was good would the spikes during stress cause a lot of problems on the aorta? Please help me understand? He said he usually just sees it in men is that right? My anxiety is high which I know is not good so that is why I exercise to reduce .. now he is telling me not to!
Test results
Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
After going through the medical query raised by you I can understand your concern for your health and regarding the eco-cardiography findings of ascending aorta I would rather call it as as high normal than mildly dilated.
Further if you have no significant aortic regurgitation and it’s size is constant from last couple of years then there is nothing to worry for just keep getting an echocardiogram done once a year.
Now regarding your exercise schedule I would rather say for your age group your exercise schedule is too hectic and there is no need for such intense workouts. Even the recommended guidelines for workout is 30 to 45 minutes of vigourous morning walk for at least five days a week. The main Moto of exercising or physical activity is to maintain our body fit not to get injured by overdoing it.
I hope this information will relieve your worries as there is no life-threatening issue.
Kind Regards
Please refer to the detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
After going through the medical query raised by you I can understand your concern for your health and regarding the eco-cardiography findings of ascending aorta I would rather call it as as high normal than mildly dilated.
Further if you have no significant aortic regurgitation and it’s size is constant from last couple of years then there is nothing to worry for just keep getting an echocardiogram done once a year.
Now regarding your exercise schedule I would rather say for your age group your exercise schedule is too hectic and there is no need for such intense workouts. Even the recommended guidelines for workout is 30 to 45 minutes of vigourous morning walk for at least five days a week. The main Moto of exercising or physical activity is to maintain our body fit not to get injured by overdoing it.
I hope this information will relieve your worries as there is no life-threatening issue.
Kind Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
