Aortic Dissection
The aorta is a major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Pressure on an area of the artery wall can cause the inner layer to split open or dissect. An aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition. The sudden onset of very severe tearing pain localized to the front or back of the chest associated with a cold sweat warns of an aortic dissection. Blood pulsing through the tear gets inside the artery wall and under the inner layer causing the aorta to dissect further. The tear moves away from the heart, traveling distally down the descending aorta. The pain travels as the dissection worsens. An aortic dissection is an emergency that warrants immediate medical attention.
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