The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.  Disorders and conditions that affect the aorta are called aortic diseases.

It’s important to know:

• Diseases of the aorta are serious and can be life-threatening.
• They happen when the walls of the aorta become weak and bulge, split, burst or block up.
• Aortic bulges or swellings are called aneurysms.
• 95% of aortic aneurysms do not cause symptoms.
• Age is a major factor in developing an aortic aneurysm.
• Aortic diseases are not as common as some other heart conditions.
• Treatment may include monitoring, medicine, less invasive surgery, open aortic surgery, or open-heart surgery.
• Screening for aortic aneurysms can save lives.

What is aortic disease?

The aorta, our largest blood vessel, takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Many smaller blood vessels branch off it. It is shaped like a candy cane and has four sections.

Ascending aorta: This is where the aorta leaves the heart and goes up towards the neck, before curving.

Aortic arch: This is the curved part of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. Arteries taking blood to the head and arms branch off here.

Descending aorta: After the arch, the aorta extends down through the chest.

Abdominal aorta: The aorta continues below the ribs down to the groin.

Parts of the aorta may be more than an inch wide. It has thick walls so that it doesn’t burst under the pressure of the blood that runs through it.

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Aortic disease can put the heart and the whole body’s blood supply at risk. It can occur when:

• The aortic wall is weakened or damaged.
• The heart’s aortic valve narrows or doesn’t open fully.
• There is a blockage in the aorta.

Who gets aortic disease?

According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, about 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm each year. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the 10^th leading cause of death for men in the U.S.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are less common, happening in less than 10 of every 100,000 people per year. Men and women are equally at risk. They become more common with age.

Aortic rupture is very rare, and almost always caused by an aortic aneurysm that bursts.

Aortic dissection is rare, happening in about 3 of every 100,000 people per year. It affects both men and women.

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common heart valve disease. The American Heart Association found that more than 20% of people over 65 in the U.S. have aortic valve stenosis.

Aortic occlusion can be caused by many conditions, including plaque build-up in the arteries, birth defects, and swelling from inflammation.

Risk factors for aortic disease include:

• Age
• Being male
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Atherosclerosis (causes plaque to build up in the arteries
• Obesity
• Family history
• Genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome  

Screening and prevention

Screening for aneurysm can save lives. Talk to your doctor about whether screening is right for you. Doctors recommend ultrasound screening for men 60 and older who have ever smoked or used tobacco products, and for people who have a family history of aneurysm.

You can lower your risk of aortic disease:

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. Smoking is a strong risk factor for aortic aneurysm.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Keep your weight at a healthy level
• Get regular exercise

Learn more

• Aortic Aneurysm, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Aortic Aneurysm, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Your Aorta: The Pulse of Life, American Heart Association