Aortic coarctation (patient information): Difference between revisions
Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
==Prevention of aortic coarctation== | ==Prevention of aortic coarctation== | ||
Although the cause is unknown, the following measures may be helpful to decrease the risk of having a baby with aortic coarctation. | |||
:*[[Screening test]] and regular check for people with [[genetic disorder]]s | |||
:*Pregnant woman need to avoiding [[viral infection]] during pregnancy. | |||
==What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?== |
Revision as of 19:52, 10 November 2009
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is aortic coarctation?
How do I know if I have aortic coarctation and what are the symptoms of aortic coarctation?
The signs and symptoms of coarctation of the aorta depend on how much blood can flow through the artery. Children with serious aortic narrowing tend to show signs and symptoms earlier in life, while mild cases may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Usual symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Dizziness or fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Nosebleed
- Hypertension
- Muscle weakness
- Leg cramps or cold feet
- Poor growth
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for aortic coarctation?
Like many congenital heart disease, the cause of aortic coarctation is not clear. Clinical studies suggest that the genetic and environmental factors both play an important role during the pregnancy.
- Genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome
- Pregnant woman had vival infection during pregnancy
How to know you have aortic coarctation?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if your baby has aortic coarctation and symptoms do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms appear. If your baby experiences either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
- Sudden shortnesss of breath
- Severe chest pain
- Fainting
- Unexplained hypertension
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for aortic coarctation?
Directions to Hospitals Treating aortic coarctation
Prevention of aortic coarctation
Although the cause is unknown, the following measures may be helpful to decrease the risk of having a baby with aortic coarctation.
- Screening test and regular check for people with genetic disorders
- Pregnant woman need to avoiding viral infection during pregnancy.
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000191.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/coarctation-of-the-aorta/DS00616/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print