What It Is
The aorta is the body's main artery. It distributes oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body except the lungs. The first branches of the aorta go to the upper body (arms and head). After that, blood goes to the lower body (abdomen and legs). Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta between the upper-body artery branches and the branches to the lower body. This blockage can increase blood pressure in your arms and head, reduce pressure in your legs and seriously strain your heart. Aortic valve abnormalities often accompany coarctation.
The aorta is the body's main artery. It distributes oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body except the lungs. The first branches of the aorta go to the upper body (arms and head). After that, blood goes to the lower body (abdomen and legs). Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta between the upper-body artery branches and the branches to the lower body. This blockage can increase blood pressure in your arms and head, reduce pressure in your legs and seriously strain your heart. Aortic valve abnormalities often accompany coarctation.
Surgical Treatment
The narrowing can be removed by surgery or sometimes by a nonsurgical balloon dilation in the cardiac catheterization lab. Aortic coarctation may return even after successful surgery or balloon dilation. This isn't uncommon if your repair was done when you were a newborn. (It's uncommon if it was repaired when you were a child.) If you've reached your full adult size and have no blood pressure difference between your arms and legs, it's highly unlikely that your aorta will become obstructed again.
The narrowing can be removed by surgery or sometimes by a nonsurgical balloon dilation in the cardiac catheterization lab. Aortic coarctation may return even after successful surgery or balloon dilation. This isn't uncommon if your repair was done when you were a newborn. (It's uncommon if it was repaired when you were a child.) If you've reached your full adult size and have no blood pressure difference between your arms and legs, it's highly unlikely that your aorta will become obstructed again.
Recurrent coarctation is usually treated with nonsurgical balloon dilation or by implanting a stent using cardiac catheterization.
Medical
After the coarctation is repaired, you'll need your blood pressure checked every 1-2 years. The reason is that you're at higher risk of developing generalized high blood pressure or problems with your aortic valve. Both of these can be checked for during your routine cardiology visits.
After the coarctation is repaired, you'll need your blood pressure checked every 1-2 years. The reason is that you're at higher risk of developing generalized high blood pressure or problems with your aortic valve. Both of these can be checked for during your routine cardiology visits.
Activity Restrictions
Depending on your blood pressure at rest or during exercise, you may be advised to avoid some forms of strenuous exercise. Heavy isometric exercise, such as power weightlifting, may be a particular concern if your pressure is elevated. In general, you don't need to restrict activity if your arm and leg blood pressures are normal. Ask your cardiologist if you should limit any activity.
Depending on your blood pressure at rest or during exercise, you may be advised to avoid some forms of strenuous exercise. Heavy isometric exercise, such as power weightlifting, may be a particular concern if your pressure is elevated. In general, you don't need to restrict activity if your arm and leg blood pressures are normal. Ask your cardiologist if you should limit any activity.
Pregnancy
Most women with repaired coarctation shouldn't have any difficulties, unless there's residual aortic obstruction or generalized high blood pressure. However, if you have persistent coarctation or any associated problems that might affect you or your baby, check with your physician before considering getting pregnant.
Most women with repaired coarctation shouldn't have any difficulties, unless there's residual aortic obstruction or generalized high blood pressure. However, if you have persistent coarctation or any associated problems that might affect you or your baby, check with your physician before considering getting pregnant.
Problems You May Have
Symptoms
Coarctation of the aorta usually doesn't have symptoms. However, if the obstruction becomes severe, you may not tolerate exercise well. You could have a headache or leg pains after exertion. You also might have chest pain or palpitations. Tell your cardiologist promptly about any activity-related symptoms.
Coarctation of the aorta usually doesn't have symptoms. However, if the obstruction becomes severe, you may not tolerate exercise well. You could have a headache or leg pains after exertion. You also might have chest pain or palpitations. Tell your cardiologist promptly about any activity-related symptoms.
congenital heart defects
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