Aortic Dissection

How do I know if I have Aortic Dissection?

What signs or symptoms may make you suspect you may have Aortic Dissection. People who have experience in Aortic Dissection offer advice of what things may make you suspicious and which doctor you should go to to receive treatment

An aortic dissection is a serious medical condition that occurs when the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, tears. This tear can cause blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall, leading to potential complications such as reduced blood flow to vital organs or even rupture of the aorta.

Recognizing the symptoms of aortic dissection is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. The condition often presents with sudden and severe chest or back pain, which is commonly described as a tearing or ripping sensation. This pain may radiate to the neck, jaw, arms, or legs. It is important to note that the pain may vary depending on the location and extent of the dissection.

Other symptoms that may accompany aortic dissection include:

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Loss of consciousness or fainting

Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Sudden and severe abdominal pain

Sweating

Nausea or vomiting

Anxiety or a feeling of impending doom

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent further complications.

It is important to note that some individuals may not experience the classic symptoms of aortic dissection. In such cases, the condition may be mistaken for other less severe conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, if you have any concerns about your health or suspect aortic dissection, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Remember, early recognition and intervention are key in managing aortic dissection and improving outcomes. Do not hesitate to seek medical help if you suspect this condition.

by Diseasemaps

Severe pain in the abdomen and lower back is a sign, but only an Xray and CT scan can verify as far as I know.

7/12/17 by Errol 1650

Your body will tell you. Most people get a very severe pain. Some get anxiety and think they will die. If the dissection blocks the blood to vital organs, your body will start to fail. If the aorta rupture, death will come within a minute.

9/11/17 by Timo Söderlund 6072

A sudden severe pain in the chest and or back at onset. The pain can travel up into the jawline, neck and head. It can also travel downwards through your chest and into your abdomen. High blood pressure. Lack of or weak pulse in oneside of your body. In most cases a tearing ripping sensation as the pain occurs is reported. 10% Of dissections have no pain at all. Hiccups is a symptom of Dissection as the dissection running downward can affect the diaphragm giving prolonged bouts. Professor sweating, nausea, abdominal pain, Renal failure is a most common symptom of type B Dissection. Aortic dissection is a difficult diagnosis to make therefore a suspicion of AD should always be considered.

9/11/17 by Dan 1998

you don't until it dissects and then you wont know what it was and Might bleed to death before the ER even figures it out ..... I am aware of 5 or 6 cases in North America in 2017 of people who were Never diagnosed AT all and bled to death .... Alan Thicke the actor was one.......

9/22/17 by Jim 5641

I had pressure in my chest, which felt like strong indigestion and aural vision disturbance and felt woozy. Very mild symptoms really

9/23/17 by Christine 1400

There are only genetic clues...and you need to ensure your doctor is aware of your family medical history

2/3/18 by Lindsay McKinney 2520

Only a doctor can diagnose AD.

6/3/18 by Jeppe 2300

There can be so many different symptoms and none of them will conclusively point to a dissection. Chest pains is the obvious one, but this could be caused by a number of other conditions as well. If you have symptoms and you think it may be an aortic dissection (for whatever reason) get yourself to the emergency department of your nearest hospital and tell them. Ask them for a ct scan.

9/23/18 by Stefan 2500

For type A chest pain dizzyness, cat scan, Type B pain in the abdomen and ultrasound or cat scan

3/12/19 by Bengt 2500

Doctors diagnosis after major chest pain.

5/13/19 by Chris 1600

You probably won’t know until you have symptoms or you have a dissection.

10/9/19 by Sandy 2500

Chest pains, (without other symptoms of flu / influenza) consult your doctor asap!

5/28/20 by Arne 2300

You won't know. You may have chest pain or loss of use of limbs.

4/2/22 by Larry 2550

Top questions

What is the life expectancy of someone with Aortic Dissection?

Celebrities with Aortic Dissection

Is Aortic Dissection hereditary?

Is Aortic Dissection contagious?

Is there any natural treatment for Aortic Dissection?

View more questions of Aortic Dissection

World map of Aortic Dissection

Find people with Aortic Dissection through the map. Connect with them and share experiences. Join the Aortic Dissection community.

There are 607 people in the map. View Map of Aortic Dissection