Guide To Common Aortic Dissection Symptoms

Shortness Of Breath

The shortness of breath that occurs with this emergency often appears suddenly and is generally severe. Patients may gasp for air and feel as though they cannot take a full breath. They may breathe very rapidly, and their breaths may tend to be shallow. The severity of the shortness of breath the patient experiences could make it difficult for them to speak.

As part of hospital treatment, patients will be given supplemental oxygen and medications to make it easier to breathe. Some of these treatments can be provided by paramedics on the way to the emergency room. Doctors at the hospital will assess a patient's shortness of breath by observing their breathing pattern, listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, and measuring their respiration rate. Shortness of breath often resolves if the aortic dissection is successfully treated.

Read more about the major warning signs of aortic dissection now.

Weakness Or Paralysis

The symptoms of aortic dissection can mimic those of a stroke, and patients could develop weakness or paralysis. As with other symptoms, weakness and paralysis have an abrupt onset with an aortic dissection. In addition, they tend to affect only one side of the body. Patients may notice they have sudden difficulty walking. They could also experience pain or numbness in their toes or fingers. Temporary paralysis of the legs is frequently reported by individuals experiencing this type of dissection. When pulses in the arms and legs are compared, one side of the body will typically have a weaker pulse than the other.

If any weakness or paralysis is present, the patient should lie down as soon as possible to prevent falls or other injuries. Individuals with the patient may want to check for possible signs of a stroke, including drooping on one side of the face. Bystanders may want to write down the patient's symptoms and note the time the weakness or paralysis was first observed. This will help medical staff later. It can be especially beneficial to record which limbs are affected by these symptoms, as this information may help doctors rule out a stroke or other medical conditions.

Learn more about the key indicators of aortic dissection now.