An aortic dissection, aka dissecting aneurysm, is a serious health condition. This sudden and severe chest pain causer is an emergency and is often fatal when treatment is delayed.
Aortic dissection means the inner layer of your aorta has dissected, in other words separated. And this dissection may be accompanied by an aortic aneurysm. Your aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body and it branches off the heart.
Aortic dissections are divided into two groups:
- Type A involves dissection in the ascending portion of the aorta, most common and most serious
- Type B involves a dissection in the descending aorta only, which may also extend into your abdomen
An aortic dissection most frequently occur in men over age 60 with a history of chronic hypertension. Yet, it can happen to anyone, anytime.
Aortic dissection symptoms mimic other heart issues, notably a heart attack. Its premier symptom is sudden, severe chest pain that radiates back to between your shoulder blades. This pain in the chest is typically described as a sharp, stabbing, tearing or ripping feeling.
As your aortic health condition worsens, the chest and back pain may move to your limbs. You will likely experience some other symptoms, for instance:
- dry skin
- dry mouth
- intense anxiety
- profuse sweating
- nausea, vomiting
- rapid, weak pulse
- high blood pressure
- weakness, paralysis
- confusion, disorientation
- syncope, unconsciousness
- decreased movement, sensation
An aortic dissection can cause some other major health problems, such as:
- blood clots
- heart attack
- cardiac tamponade
- aortic valve damage
- bleeding into pericardial sac
- aortic rupture causing rapid blood loss, shock
- organ damage ~ kidney failure, intestinal damage
Death may ensue due to severe internal bleeding.
There are other risk factors for aortic dissections beyond chronic hypertension, like:
- cocaine use
- Marfan syndrome
- Turner’s syndrome
- traumatic chest injury
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- connective tissue disorders
- pre-existing aortic aneurysm
- vascular inflammation caused by arteritis, syphilis
No bones about it, aortic dissection is a life threatening health condition. So, if you experience symptoms of sudden, severe chest pain, which may or may not include back pain between your shoulder blades, then seek health care attention pronto.