An aneurysm occurs when one of your blood vessels balloons out or bulges. Peripheral aneurysms can occur in your neck, legs and groin or anywhere an artery carries blood from the heart. You may live with a small aneurysm without any consequences, but when it grows, it can burst, causing bleeding inside the body and even death. Consult your doctor if you are worried about an aneurysm, and discuss what exercise is appropriate.
Risks
The main artery in the neck is called the carotid artery. It is less likely to burst than an aneurysm in the aorta, but is susceptible to the formation of blood clots, according to the Vivacare website. A blood clot can break off and move to your brain or heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack by blocking the flow of blood through your neck. If the aneurysm grows large enough, it starts throbbing and becomes painful to the touch, making exercises that require you to move your neck very uncomfortable. You may develop a lump in your neck that pulsates when you exert yourself.
Weight Management
If you've been diagnosed with a small aneurysm in your neck, you will be encouraged to maintain a healthy weight through diet and aerobic exercise. While there is no known cause of aneurysms, obesity and high cholesterol are common among those who develop them. Aerobic exercise such as aerobic dance, running and cycling keep the blood flowing freely while helping you maintain a healthy weight. When the arteries become clogged by too much cholesterol and fat, you can develop artheriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. With restricted blood flow, the vessel becomes stressed and bulges. Smoking, high blood pressure and a family history of aneurysms also contribute to the formation of aneurysms.
Strengthening Exercises
Overt pressure on the carotid artery can cause complications once your aneurysm expands. When you participate in heavy weightlifting activities, such as working out with barbells and resistance pulley machines, you risk placing pressure on the arteries in your neck that could cause the aneurysm to burst. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute advises that you avoid bodybuilding exercises when you have an aneurysm.
Options
Once diagnosed, you have a number of treatment options. When a carotid artery aneurysm is small, your doctor usually will advise regular screenings to measure the size. If you have other conditions such as high blood pressure, you may need to take medication to lower it. You will be advised to quit smoking and take up a regular exercise program to reduce other risk factors. Walking is an effective exercise that doesn't place stress on your neck, keeps blood flowing and burns calories. Other exercises to maintain blood flow that don't exacerbate the bulge in your neck include swimming, using an elliptical trainer, lifting light free weights and core exercises such as crunches.
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