Aortitis is a condition in which the aorta becomes inflamed. This inflammation is a serious disease that requires medical care.
Inflammation of the aorta usually results from a viral or bacterial infection. Damage to the heart or arteries can also cause aortitis.
The symptoms of aortitis develop against the background of the underlying disease (syphilis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, infective endocarditis, rheumatic fever, sepsis, etc.). Aortitis primarily manifests as signs of ischemia in the organs supplied by the main branches of the aorta.
Cerebral ischemia: dizziness, headaches, visual disturbances, fainting
Myocardial ischemia: angina, myocardial infarction (often painless); renal ischemia: arterial hypertension
Intestinal ischemia: accompanied by signs of chronic occlusion of the mesenteric vessels.
Also characteristic are:
tachycardia, shortness of breath
a whooping-cough-like cough
abdominal and lower back pain (with abdominal aortic involvement)
squeezing or burning chest pain
pain in the neck, both arms, between the shoulder blades, and in the epigastric region
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.