Symptoms
Symptoms of aortic IMH are often very similar to those experienced with aortic dissection. The symptoms typically occur suddenly and can vary from one patient to the next. Symptoms generally include:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe back pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Weakness
- Loss of consciousness
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Heavy sweating
- Anxiety
- Pale skin
- Nausea
Causes and Risk Factors
Aortic IMH is rare and is most frequently diagnosed in men between the ages of 60 and 80 years of age. However, women and younger patients can develop the condition. It occurs in an area of the aorta that has been weakened, which can be due to:
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Marfan syndrome
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Traumatic chest injury
- Severe hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Inflammation of the arteries (Takayasu's arteritis)
- Aortic aneurysm
- Aortic coarctation
- Turner syndrome
- Cocaine use
- Pregnancy
- High-intensity weightlifting