Coarctation of the aorta is a birth defect in which the aorta, the
major artery from the heart, is narrowed. The narrowing results in
high blood pressure before the point of coarctation and low blood
pressure beyond the point of coarctation. Most commonly,
coarctation is located so that there is high blood pressure in the
upper body and arms and low blood pressure in the lower body and
legs. Symptoms can include localized hypertension, cold feet or
legs, decreased exercise performance, and heart failure.
Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. 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)
