Blood Pressure and Aortic Dissections

How does high blood pressure cause Aortic Dissections?

High blood pressure can cause an aortic dissection by persistently weakening the walls of the aorta over time, making them more prone to tearing; when a tear occurs, blood can then flow between the layers of the aortic wall, separating them and causing a dissection.

Key points about how high blood pressure contributes to aortic dissection:

Wall stress:

Constant high blood pressure exerts excessive pressure on the aorta's walls, causing them to stretch and become thinner, making them more susceptible to tears.

Degeneration of the aortic wall:

High blood pressure can damage the elastic fibers in the aorta's middle layer, leading to a loss of elasticity and further weakening the wall.

Aneurysm formation:

In some cases, prolonged high blood pressure can contribute to the formation of an aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the aorta, which can then rupture and lead to a dissection.

Other factors that can increase the risk of aortic dissection alongside high blood pressure include:

Genetic conditions: Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and other connective tissue disorders that affect the strength of the aorta wall.

Aortic valve abnormalities: A bicuspid aortic valve can put additional stress on the aorta.

Atherosclerosis: Hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup can weaken the aorta.

Trauma to the chest: Severe chest injuries can sometimes cause an aortic dissection.

#thinkaorta #thinkaortathinkfamily