Aortic dissection is a condition in which there is bleeding into
and along the wall of the aorta (the major artery from the heart).
This most often occurs because of a tear or damage to the inner
wall of the artery. Although aortic dissection can affect anybody,
it is most often seen in men 40 to 70 years old. Symptoms usually
begin suddenly and require prompt medical attention.
Review Date: 05/04/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School
of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided
byVeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
