Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the aorta is typically a congenital heart condition where blood flow to the lower body is disrupted due to a narrowing of the aortic blood vessel. It may be diagnosed along with one or more other heart defects in childhood, or may possibly go undiscovered until adulthood, and every case is different in terms of its severity. Symptoms in newborns that have a significant defect may include feeding problems, breathing difficulties, paleness and general agitation/irritability. Additional symptoms that may appear later can include headaches, nosebleeds, muscle fatigue, leg cramps, angina (chest pain) and cold feet. In rare cases, coarctation of the aorta may be acquired due to a traumatic injury or possibly from the long-term presence of inflamed or hardened arteries. Treatments may include a minimally invasive procedure called balloon angioplasty or possibly surgery to remove or bypass the narrowed portion of the aorta.