Medical Minute: The Symptoms of Aortic Disease

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Updated: 3:30 PM Oct 13, 2005 Medical Minute: The Symptoms of Aortic Disease A rare heart condition is often misdiagnosed, according to a new study, and that can have deadly consequences, so here are the symptoms to watch out for. Posted: 8:18 PM Jul 13, 2005 Reporter: Paige Lambrecht Medical Minute: The Warning Signs of a Rare Heart Disease

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Aortic disease happens when plaque erodes into the wall of the aorta, and it often leads to sudden death.

Typically, the aorta wall either tears, that's called aortic dissection, or it can rupture, which is an aortic aneurysm.

In either case, a person can die within hours.

Dr. Fernando Riveron, a cardiac surgeon at the Wausau Heart Institute, says, "You would look for symptoms of relatively sudden onset of pain usually in your chest, but it can be all the way into your back, shoulder, abdomen."

A new study from the University of Florida found the disease is misdiagnosed in as many as 25 percent of patients. Doctors say that's because symptoms often mimic other illnesses, like ulcers or gall bladder disease.

Actor John Ritter passed away from aortic dissection three years ago just a few hours after complaining of flu-like symptoms, but it's not just diagnosing the disease that's difficult.

Dr. Riveron says, "So even when you do make the diagnosis, depending on where the tear is, the surgical treatment can be extremely difficult and with very high risk."

According to Dr. Riveron, those who smoke, have hypertension, diabetes, or established heart problems are already at high risk for developing aortic disease.

If you have any of these risk factors, you need to be vigilant about early warning signs. Any sudden pain should be taken seriously and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.