What is aortic atherosclerosis?

The aorta is the most important blood vessel in the human body. Aortic atherosclerosis, a type of arteriosclerosis, may occur due to fat metabolism disorders. The cause of this disease is not very clear, but some causes are believed to easily cause aortic atherosclerosis. We should have a systematic understanding of this, which will help our prevention and response. So, what is aortic atherosclerosis? Let’s take a look below.

Aortic atherosclerosis, most of the time there are no specific severe symptoms. During percussion, it can be found that the aortic dullness area behind the sternal manubrium is widened; the second heart sound in the aortic valve area is hyperactive and has a metallic tone, and there is a systolic murmur. The systolic blood pressure is increased, the pulse pressure is widened, and the radial artery palpation may be similar to a rapid pulse. Ordinary X-ray examination shows that the aortic knot bulges to the upper left, the aorta is dilated and twisted, and sometimes calcium deposits can be seen in flake-like or arc-shaped plaques. Aortic atherosclerosis can also form aortic aneurysms, which are most common in the abdominal aorta below the renal artery opening, followed by the aortic arch and descending aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is usually discovered during a physical examination when a pulsating mass is found in the abdomen and a murmur can be heard in the corresponding part of the abdominal wall.