I71.03: Dissection of aorta, thoracoabdominal, without mention of rupture

There is a tear in the vascular wall of your aorta.

The aorta carries the blood from the heart to the body. The aorta has a vascular wall. This vascular wall consists of 3 layers. In your case, there has been a tear in the inner layer. As a result, blood has got in between the layers of the vascular wall.

The aorta begins at the heart itself. First it runs upwards and then it arches down through the chest to the abdomen. At around the level of the navel, the aorta branches into 2 large blood vessels. These blood vessels first run to the pelvis and then to the legs. In your case, the aorta is affected in your chest and abdomen.

Persistent high blood pressure favors tears in the aorta. The vascular wall can also tear if it becomes weaker, or if deposits have formed in it.

The symptoms often appear suddenly. The person may experience severe pain and poor circulation. The aorta gives off many large blood vessels that supply the body. When blood gets into the vascular wall, the blood vessel can get narrower. If the branching points get narrower, the tissue and organs may receive too little blood.