It occurs when the upper aorta, called the ascending aorta, tears. The tear may spread to the abdomen. Type B refers to a tear in the lower aorta, called the descending aorta. This tear may also ...

When you feel sudden severe chest or upper back pain, it's easy to assume what's happening is a heart attack. It could be, but it could also be an aortic dissection -- a condition that can be ...

in which the tear occurs in the part of the aorta that exits the heart, or in the upper aorta. In Type B, the tear occurs in the lower aorta. Aortic dissection tends to occur mostly in men in ...

Type A is more common and dangerous. It involves a tear in the part of the aorta where it exits the heart. The tear may also occur in the upper aorta (ascending aorta), which may extend into the ...

The symptoms of an aortic dissection and an aortic aneurysm can resemble each other. Both conditions are associated with sudden chest or upper back pain that spreads, shortness of breath ...

The symptoms of aortic dissection can be difficult to distinguish from other heart conditions, like a heart attack. Chest pain and pain in the upper back are typical symptoms of this condition.

Ascending aortic aneurysms are a subtype of thoracic aneurysms, which occur in the chest area. They affect thousands of Americans annually and can be life threatening if not monitored. An aneurysm ...

The narrow part of the aorta is typically located in the upper body. It can lead to high blood pressure in the head and upper body and low blood pressure in the legs and lower body. Coarctation ...

An obvious pulsating mass in the upper abdomen was present on physical examination of all aortic aneurysms in this series. In 1 patient with an iliac aneurysm, this was most easily palpated on ...

Thoracic aortic aneurysm. This type happens less often than an AAA. They form in your upper aorta in your chest. Carotid aneurysm. These form in your carotid arteries, which bring blood to your ...