Aorta Enlargement

The aorta, the largest artery in the body, supplies oxygen-filled blood throughout the body. Once the aorta enlarges, it loses its ability to contract and relax when blood is pumped. Aorta enlargement often indicates the presence of health problems, and treatment is necessary.

Features

• To determine how enlarged the aorta is, the physician compares the area of dilation to the rest of the artery. This is different for each individual. If the area is dilated to 1 1/2 to 2 times larger than the normal size of the blood vessel, it is known as an aneurysm.

Causes

• A number of factors can cause aorta enlargement. Various cardiovascular diseases can exert pressure on the aorta's wall, causing small tears known as dissections. Such tears can exert pressure and pain in the chest that radiates to the back. Diseased or infected aorta tissues can also cause the aorta to become enlarged and weak. Other factors include sudden injury and even nutritional deficiencies.

Expert Advice

• If a tear occurs where the aorta arises from the heart, and blood leaks into the middle layer of the artery wall, it can be life threatening. Immediate medical help is necessary.