Do you know the four major clinical manifestations of aortic dissection?

When abnormalities occur in the body's arteries, many special diseases will occur, one of which is called aortic dissection. The causes of aortic dissection are mainly concentrated in cardiovascular problems. If you suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis, it is best to understand the clinical manifestations of aortic dissection so that you can seek medical attention in time if you have suspected symptoms.

1. Pain

Most patients will experience sudden chest pain in the early stages of the disease, and the symptoms will worsen as the disease progresses. The peak of pain usually occurs earlier than the peak of myocardial infarction, and it lasts for a long time and cannot be relieved. The location of pain plays an important role in determining the location of the dissection. If there is pain in the left anterior chest, the dissection is proximal aortic dissection; if there is pain in the left shoulder, the dissection is proximal aortic dissection; if there is pain in the anterior and posterior chest, the dissection is distal dissection. Some patients have no chest pain symptoms.

2. Shock

A small number of patients will experience shock symptoms during the acute onset of the disease. Before the shock, the patient will be pale, have weak limbs, sweat profusely, and experience dizziness and tinnitus. Shock is mostly caused by dissection rupture and a sharp drop in blood pressure.

3. Hypertension

Hypertension is a typical clinical manifestation of aortic dissection, and most patients will experience this symptom. The main cause of symptoms is dissection damage to the renal artery, leading to renal infarction. In addition to this symptom, patients may also experience oliguria and pain in the renal area.

4. Nervous system disorders

Cerebral ischemia, perceptual disturbances, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, and syncope are common neurological symptoms of aortic dissection, which are mostly caused by aortic dissection affecting the arteries supplying the brain or spinal cord. If the disease affects the anterior spinal artery, the patient will also experience symptoms of spinal cord ischemia; if the vertebral artery collateral circulation is insufficient, the patient will become blind and suffer from hemiplegia.