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Conditions
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Aneurysm
Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection

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A serious condition in which the inner layer of the large blood vessel branching off the heart (the aorta) tears. Blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge reviewed this

39 year experience in Internal Medicine

Is a type of:

Aneurysm

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Rare
Baby
0-2
Rare
Preteen
6-13
Rare
Teenager
14-18
Young adult
19-40
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Common

How it can usually be treated?

Can be cured with medical treatment

How is it usually diagnosed?

Requires diagnosis by a medical professional

Body locations

Chest

Symptoms

Abdominal pain
Chest pain
Back pain
Speech difficulty
Low blood pressure
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Aortic dissection
Opioid pain medicines
Vasodilator
Blood pressure medicine
Beta blocker

Other treatments

Oxygen supplementation

Tests

D dimer
Complete blood count
Kidney function tests
Cardiac enzymes
Electrocardiogram

Risk factors

Personal

Cocaine use
Cigarette smoking

Related questions

A 47-year old asked:

Can aortic dissection be inherited?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

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Possible aortic dissection in teen?

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How do you cope with type b aortic dissection?

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How common is aortic dissection in a 23yo female?

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What are the signs of having an aortic dissection?

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How is an aortic dissection diagnosed or ruled out?

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I had a aortic dissection. Could I survive another?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

What are the odds of surviving an aortic dissection?

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A 34-year old asked:

How do I know if I have a possible aortic dissection?

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A 42-year old asked:

Can i get aortic dissection without being hospitalized?

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What is the definition or description of: aortic dissection?

3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

What are the odds of surviving an aortic dissection? Pretty low?

2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

I was wondering what are the odds of surviving an aortic dissection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 22-year old male asked:

What symptoms should make me suspect I may have an aortic dissection?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

How long does an aortic dissection take to develop? Minutes? Hours?

2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 37-year old asked:

How long could someone live with aortic dissection without being hospitalized?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Is aortic dissection always a result of this syndrome, or are there other causes?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old female asked:

I'm 30years old, and was hospitalized with an aortic dissection last month. Am I going to die?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

I think i might have had an aortic dissection just now and i'm terrified in tears. What should I do?

3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

How do I know if I have an aortic dissection or aneurism?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

How do I know if i'm at increased risk for an aortic dissection?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 46-year old asked:

How can I be sure if my daughter has an aortic dissection or not?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 35-year old asked:

How can I tell if my symptoms are an aortic dissection or aneurism?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

My dad had an aortic dissection. How long do people typically live after that?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

What is the average lifespan of a someone that has survived an aortic dissection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 30-year old female asked:

Granmother died of MI in 1980's in her late 50's early 60's. If she had an aortic dissection would MI still be stated as cause or would it be specific?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

Aortic dissection -- is this genetic?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Can weightlifting cause aortic dissection?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

How to know if I have an aortic dissection or aneurysm?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old female asked:

What blood tests are used to rule out an aortic dissection?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

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