Coarctation of the Aorta – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Aortic coarctation is a narrowing in the aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

This narrowing makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the constricted area.

This condition is typically present at birth, making it a congenital heart defect. However, in some cases, it may develop later in life. Aortic coarctation commonly occurs alongside other heart defects.

The good news is that treatment for this condition is generally successful. After treatment, patients need lifelong medical follow-ups to monitor heart health and prevent complications.

Signs and Symptoms

Coarctation of the aorta shows different symptoms depending on how narrow the aorta becomes. Many people with this condition don’t experience any symptoms at all.

People with mild narrowing, including older children and adults, might have no symptoms and appear to have healthy hearts.

Babies born with severe narrowing often show symptoms shortly after birth. These symptoms include breathing problems, feeding difficulties, excessive sweating, unusual irritability, and skin color changes.

In older children and adults, symptoms might include chest discomfort, elevated blood pressure, recurring headaches, weakness in muscles, cramping in the legs, feet that feel cold, and frequent nosebleeds.

This condition often occurs alongside other heart problems present at birth. Additional symptoms may vary based on these other heart conditions.

When To Get Medical Help

Seek immediate medical attention for any unexplained or severe chest pain.

Also get prompt medical care if you experience fainting episodes, sudden difficulty breathing, or unexplained high blood pressure.

These symptoms could indicate various health problems, including heart conditions.

Why Coarctation of the Aorta Happens

Coarctation of the aorta typically occurs as a congenital heart defect, meaning it’s present when a baby is born. Doctors don’t fully understand why this narrowing develops during pregnancy. In most cases, the exact reason remains unknown.

Sometimes this condition can develop later in life. When it does, several factors may be responsible.

These acquired cases are much less common than congenital ones. Most people diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta have had the condition since birth, even if it wasn’t detected immediately.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the chance of developing coarctation of the aorta:

  • Biological Sex: Males have a higher risk of this condition than females.
  • Genetic Conditions: People with certain genetic disorders, particularly Turner syndrome, face an increased risk.
  • Associated Heart Defects: Coarctation of the aorta often occurs alongside other congenital heart problems, including:

  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve: This occurs when the valve between the main artery and lower left heart chamber has only two flaps instead of the normal three.

  • Subaortic Stenosis: A narrowing below the aortic valve that blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta.

  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A blood vessel that should close shortly after birth remains open, connecting the lung artery to the aorta.

  • Heart Wall Defects: Holes may exist between heart chambers:
    • Atrial septal defect (between upper chambers)
    • Ventricular septal defect (between lower chambers)

  • Mitral Valve Stenosis: Some babies are born with a narrowed valve between the upper and lower left heart chambers, making blood flow more difficult.

While these factors increase risk, many cases occur without any known family history or genetic condition.

Complications

Coarctation of the aorta forces the left ventricle to work harder to push blood through the narrowed aorta. This extra strain increases blood pressure in the heart and leads to ventricular hypertrophy, the thickening of the heart wall.

Several serious complications can develop from untreated coarctation:

  • Persistent hypertension (high blood pressure) may continue even after surgical correction
  • Brain aneurysms (weakened or bulging blood vessels in the brain)
  • Cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
  • Aortic dissection (tear in the aorta’s wall)
  • Aortic aneurysm (dangerous bulging of the aorta)
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Stroke

Without proper treatment, coarctation can lead to these life-threatening conditions:

  1. Kidney failure
  2. Heart failure
  3. Death

Even after treatment, patients may face certain risks. Post-treatment complications include:

  • Re-coarctation (narrowing of the aorta happening again)
  • Aortic aneurysm or rupture at the repair site

Lifelong medical follow-up is essential for anyone with coarctation of the aorta. Regular checkups help doctors monitor for potential complications and address them before they become dangerous. Blood pressure monitoring is particularly important to ensure proper cardiovascular function.

Ways to Prevent Aortic Narrowing

Medical science has not yet discovered methods to prevent aortic narrowing at birth. If your family has a history of heart problems present from birth, share this information with your healthcare providers.


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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.