A medical emergency known as an aortic dissection can rapidly be fatal. It occurs when a tear in the inner lining of the aorta, the largest artery, allows blood to leak between its layers. This reduces blood flow to vital organs and can lead to a rupture.

The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aortic dissection can be caused by a weakened spot on the artery, known as an aortic aneurysm. Risk factors for this condition include high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Further details about aortic dissections, including risk factors, are available from the American Medical Association. Local residents can learn more about this heart condition through reputable medical sources.