![Atherosclerosis of Aorta](/Upload/atherosclerosis-of-aorta.jpg)
Atherosclerosis of Aorta
How serious is atherosclerosis of
the aorta?
Atherosclerosis of the aorta can
lead to a life-threatening medical emergency. This happens when an embolus
breaks away from the plaque and travels somewhere else in your body, blocking
blood flow there.
Atherosclerosis of the aorta raises
your risk of medical emergencies, including:
Acute ischemic colitis: Blocked
blood flow to your colon.
Acute limb ischemia: Blocked blood
flow to your limbs, usually your legs.
Myocardial infarction (heart
attack): Blocked blood flow to your heart.
Renal infarction: Blocked blood flow
to your kidneys.
Splenic infarction: Blocked blood
flow to your spleen.
Stroke or transient ischemic attack
(TIA): Blocked blood flow to your brain.
Plaque buildup in your aorta can
also weaken its walls and raise your risk for an aortic aneurysm. Aneurysm
ruptures and dissections can be fatal and require immediate medical attention.
Who does atherosclerosis of the
aorta affect?
Atherosclerosis of the aorta can
affect anyone. It’s a common condition. Your risk goes up as you get older.
What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis
of the aorta?
Plaque can build up in your aorta
for many years without you noticing any symptoms. In fact, you may not have any
symptoms until an embolism travels through your blood to another part of your
body. In that case, your symptoms depend on where the embolism is lodged and
what part of your body is deprived of oxygen.
An embolism can lead to several
different medical emergencies, each with specific symptoms.
Symptoms of a heart attack
Anxiety or a feeling of “impending
doom.”
Chest pain.
Dizziness or fainting.
Heart palpitations.
Nausea or vomiting.
Pain or discomfort in your shoulder,
arm, neck or jaw.
Sweating.
Women and people designated female
at birth (DFAB) may also experience:
Fatigue.
Shortness of breath.
Symptoms of a stroke
Dizziness or loss of balance.
Slurred or confused speech.
Sudden numbness or weakness in your
face, arms or legs. This may occur on one side of your body.
Sudden, severe headache.
Sudden trouble speaking or
understanding others.
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Trouble walking.
Symptoms of acute limb ischemia
Cool skin.
Gangrene.
Mottled skin. This means you can see
a blotchy pattern of red, purple or brown lines.
Numbness or tingling.
Pale or blue skin.
Weak pulse or no pulse in the
affected limb.
Symptoms of blocked blood flow to
organs in your belly
Blood in your poop.
Diarrhea.
Nausea.
Pain or tenderness in your belly.
Symptoms of an abdominal aortic
aneurysm (AAA)
Atherosclerosis of the aorta is also
associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). That means the plaque
buildup may not directly cause the AAA, but the two conditions share similar
risk factors and often occur together. Many people don’t have symptoms of an
AAA until it’s close to rupturing. If you do have early symptoms, they may
include:
Back, leg, or belly pain that
doesn’t go away.
Pulsing sensation in your belly,
like a heartbeat.
Signs of a ruptured AAA include:
Clammy, sweaty skin.
Dizziness or fainting.
Fast heart rate.
Nausea and vomiting.
Shortness of breath.
Sudden, severe pain in your belly,
lower back or legs.
What causes atherosclerosis of the
aorta?
Damage to your aorta’s inner lining
(endothelium) causes atherosclerosis to begin. This damage occurs gradually,
over many years.
Certain conditions damage your
endothelium and raise your risk of developing atherosclerosis. These include:
Smoking or using tobacco products.
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
Hypertension (high blood pressure).
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
Autoimmune diseases and
inflammation, especially large vessel vasculitis.
How is atherosclerosis of the aorta
diagnosed?
Healthcare providers use imaging
tests to diagnose aortic atherosclerosis and see how far it’s progressed. These
tests include:
Computed tomography (CT) scan.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Transesophageal echocardiogram.
What is the treatment for
atherosclerosis of the aorta?
Aortic atherosclerosis treatment
focuses on:
Lowering your risk of complications.
Slowing down disease progression.
Medications and lifestyle changes
can help with both of these goals. Your provider may recommend medications
including:
Anticoagulants or antiplatelet
medications to lower your risk of blood clots.
Antihypertensive medication to
manage your blood pressure.
Statins to manage your cholesterol.
Lifestyle changes are also
important. Your provider may recommend you:
Avoid foods high in saturated fat
and cholesterol.
Avoid foods and drinks high in
sugar.
Exercise more often.
Lower your salt intake.
Quit smoking or using tobacco
products.
If aortic atherosclerosis has led to
complications, your provider will treat those conditions. Treatments vary
widely based on where and how damage occurred and may include:
Amputation.
Dialysis.
Medications.
Minimally invasive procedures.
Surgery.
Talk with your provider about the
best treatment options for you and why they’re needed.