14 Popular Triggers of Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is the medical term used to describe an injury to the innermost layer of the aorta. This injury lets blood flow from one layer of the aorta to the next which begins to force the layers apart and cause a myriad of health issues. There are many symptoms that can be caused by a problem like this, but one of the most characteristic ones is a sudden onset of pain in either the back, chest or both.

The type of pain is described by patients as a tearing sensation, likely due to the fact that the layers of the aorta are forced apart by the internal blood flow. There are many things that could trigger this type of injury. In fact, there are far too many specific situations to cover, so we’re going to talk about eight of the most popular triggers.

1. Traumatic chest injury

One of the most common triggers for aortic dissections is any type of traumatic chest injury. This is most often blunt force trauma, though there have been some cases where a penetrative injury led to aortic dissection. Those involved in a car accident are at high risk of aortic dissection as a large amount of force hits their chest during the impact. The rapid deceleration also presents other health risks.

Beyond car crashes, other traumatic injuries such as high falls or streetfights may also lead to aortic dissection. If you find yourself experiencing some of the telltale symptoms following a traumatic chest injury then you should admit yourself to a hospital immediately.

The longer the bleed goes on, the more your aortic layers will separate — thus making it harder for surgeons to treat the injury. When any form of internal hemorrhage is present, early treatment is the key to surviving.