PSVM Aortic Diseases

Sep 16
1 min read

Aortic disease refers to a group of serious conditions that affect the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and when it’s damaged, weakened, or malformed, it can lead to life-threatening complications

🩺 Types of Aortic Disease

1. Aortic Aneurysm

A bulging or dilation of the aorta due to a weakened wall.
Can occur in the thoracic aorta (chest) or abdominal aorta (belly).
Risk of rupture increases with size, which can be fatal.

2. Aortic Dissection

A tear in the inner layer of the aorta causes blood to flow between layers.
Creates intense, tearing chest or back pain.
Requires emergency treatment—can rapidly lead to organ failure or death.

3. Aortic Valve Disease

Includes aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve) and aortic regurgitation (leaky valve).
Symptoms: chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue3.
May require valve repair or replacement.

⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For

Sudden, severe chest or abdominal pain
Pain that radiates to the back
Fainting or lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Swelling in legs or feet
Irregular heartbeat

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)
Genetic disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos)
Smoking
Age over 60

🛠 Treatment Options

Monitoring: Small aneurysms may just need regular imaging.
Medications: To control blood pressure and reduce strain.
Surgery: For large aneurysms, dissections, or valve disease—may involve stents (EVAR/TEVAR) or open repair