Medically Reviewed by Christopher G. Cunningham, MD

When your blood pressure is too high, the power of blood rushing like a roaring river can weaken your arteries from the inside. McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Christopher Cunningham explains what can be done when blood rips the inner layers of the artery apart:

Here are some points from Dr. Cunningham’s video:

• The aorta – one of the key arteries – can develop two kinds of problems.
• Aneurysm Development is the slow weakening in the artery wall, causing a growing bulge. This may happen where the aorta from the heart splits to reach each leg.
• Aortic Dissection is caused, when the pressure of flowing blood causes layers of the artery to split internally.
• If the split (or dissection) extends down the aorta, critical blood supplies are cut off to your liver, intestines, kidneys, legs and spinal cord.
• Patients with Aortic Dissection require emergency treatment.
• If the problem is in the aorta near the heart, a cardiothoracic surgeon may handle the repair.
• The tear could go all the way through one of the heart valves, which control the direction of blood flow.
• If the problem is in the aorta away from the heart, a vascular surgeon may handle the procedure.
• The vascular surgeon can thread a small wire from the leg up to the point of the internal tear.
• A wire mesh stent is placed inside the damaged artery. It stops the tearing and directs the blood flow down through the strengthened area, often restoring flow to other arteries.

Here are some other articles you might find helpful:

5 Top Risks for Heart & Vascular Disease You CAN Control

Heart & Vascular Health Dangers for African-Americans

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