Aortic Dissection: The Deadly Tear You Shouldn’t Ignore
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
02 October, 2025
An aortic dissection is a dangerous condition where the aorta- the main artery that supplies the oxygen rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body gets torn, causing blood to leak or even gush out. The great force with which this happens can cause the different layers of the artery itself to split. It is not a very common condition and older men are more vulnerable than women. The symptoms are very similar to other conditions, making diagnosis hard but that much more crucial for timely treatment and improving long term outcomes.
What Is Aortic Dissection?
The aorta- which is the main blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from your heart to the legs and other parts of your body has 3 layers- the inner, middle and outer layers respectively. When an aortic dissection occurs, the inner layer first tears, causing blood at high pressure to gush out. This force can then cause more tearing in the middle layers-causing aortic dissection. Total blood flow hence is much slower or can get stopped completely, if the aorta tears off totally. It is a life threatening condition and needs emergency treatment.
Types Of Aortic Dissection (Type A & Type B)-
There are 2 types of aortic dissections-
- Stanford Type A- This tear happens closer to your heart- and will need emergency open heart surgery so that it can get repaired. The tear begins on top, while the dissection can happen all the way downwards. The torn part on top is cut away and replaced or repaired- depending on how much damage is present. This is more common than the other kind of tear.
- Stanford Type B– The tear occurs much below- near the descending aorta- which means it is farther away from your heart. Depending on how much blood flow is lost or present, your doctor will decide whether immediate surgery is necessary or not. It is not as life threatening as Type A though.
Causes Of Aortic Tear In The Heart-
The most common causes for an aortic dissection include-
- Hypertension or sudden high blood pressure due to very heavy exertion
- Congenital defects
Myocarditis Diagnosis Tests (ECG MRI, Biopsy)-
A timely diagnosis involves the use of different kinds of approaches and tests- like a physical exam, taking a detailed medical history and also performing specific diagnostic tests. Your doctor will hence recommend that you get detailed imaging done- in the form of MRI, PET, X-rays, ECG and catheterisation to check for any anomaly in function and structure. A heart biopsy may also be recommended at times.
If hypertension is what is causing your problems, then you need to understand that it is a chronic condition and that the damage has been compounded due to many years of ignorance or non-treatment. Well known risk factors include- smoking, advancing age, hypertension itself, atherosclerosis, having an aortic aneurysm, aortic valve disease, inflammation of the aorta, pregnancy etc.
Symptoms Of Aortic Dissection-
There are no subtle warning signs of any kind most of the time as it is a sudden and drastic event, but let us look at possible symptoms, after the dissection has occurred-
- Pain that is sudden in nature, sharp and feels like something just tore open in your chest.
- Severe pain in your belly and abdomen
- Not being able to breathe fully
- Low blood pressure
- Sweating heavily
- Feeling very confused, faint and having blurry vision
- Stroke – this is a complication of an aortic dissection, if not treated in time.
- Heart murmurs may also be observed.
Aortic Dissection Diagnosis (CT, MRI, Echocardiogram)-
Doctors may ask you to get chest x-rays – to check for any rupture, do a CT scan to look for an aneurysm or do a TTE or TEE – ultrasound to check your aorta, heart valves and oesophagus. An MRI may also be recommended at times.
Emergency Treatment For Aortic Dissection-
Since it is an emergency cardiac event, immediate treatment is necessary. If your doctor finds a Type A tear, then you will get open heart surgery, but if it is found to be a Type B tear, then your doctor will check to see where the tear has occurred and which organs below the heart have gotten affected. If your CT scan shows any risky element, then surgery is done immediately. If the tear is mild, then your doctor may see if medications alone can be used to treat you- like beta blockers, blood thinners etc. Surgical options used include removing the damaged part of the aorta and replacing it with a synthetic graft. If the tear is not very major, then a stent may be deployed, to reinforce the walls of the aorta.
Conclusion
An aortic dissection is not a preventable condition as it can occur at any time, without any warning sign. So, if you have comorbid conditions, it is better you are cautious about your diet and keep in touch with your doctor. Regular assessments can also greatly help – as it can point out any weaknesses in the aorta and direct your physician to place you under the right treatment regimen. If surgery is what will help you, don’t worry! You will recover and feel better in a few weeks.
