What would happen if the aorta was blocked?

What would happen if the aorta was blocked?

As atherosclerosis progresses, the aortic artery can be completely blocked by plaque or by a blood clot lodged in a narrowed section. When this happens, the tissues below the blockage will not receive enough blood or oxygen, and will eventually die, causing a condition called gangrene.

What role does the aorta play in circulation?

The aorta is a big artery that leaves the heart carrying this oxygenated blood. Branches off of the aorta send blood to the muscles of the heart itself, as well as all other parts of the body. Like a tree, the branches gets smaller and smaller as they get farther from the aorta.

How long can you live with a blocked aorta?

“Once patients with severe aortic stenosis develop symptoms related to their valve disease, these patients have a survival rate as low as 50% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years without aortic valve replacement.”

How serious is a blocked aorta?

Aortic occlusive disease can slow or block blood flow to the body’s major organs and cause a number of serious health issues. These include: Arm or leg pain with use (called claudication) or at rest. Severe high blood pressure.

“Once patients with severe aortic stenosis develop symptoms related to their valve disease, these patients have a survival rate as low as 50% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years without aortic valve replacement.” While medicine can help with the symptoms, it cannot reverse or treat the disease.

What causes the branches of the aorta to be blocked?

Branches of the aorta can be blocked (occluded) due to atherosclerosis, abnormal growth of muscle in the artery’s wall (fibromuscular dysplasia), blood clots, or other disorders. Blockage causes symptoms related to the lack of blood flow, including pain, in the area the artery serves. Imaging tests are used to make the diagnosis.

What happens when the aorta of the heart widens?

When aorta of heart widens itself to form a bulge, blood clots or thrombi are most likely to happen. Now if this piece of blood clot breaks away it moves into the blood stream and travels to different parts of the body. The worst part of this is that such a blood clot can get lodged in any blood vessel and disrupt the blood supply in that area.

What happens to your heart when your artery is blocked?

Sometimes, when arteries become completely blocked, a new blood supply develops around the blockage. This new blood supply, called collaterals, won’t deliver as much blood to your heart. This can lead to those same symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath.

What causes narrowing of the aortic valve opening?

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. Aortic stenosis restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and may also affect the pressure in the left atrium. Watch an animation of aortic valve stenosis.