Which are the symptoms of Aortic Dissection?

Symptoms of Aortic Dissection reported by real patients, from the most common to the most limiting, plus a medically reviewed summary with sources.

It is called the silent killer. No somptoms before it got acute. Then a variety of symptoms. Many have severe pain in chest or back. Often misdiagnosed for heart attack. If one survives from an acute aortic dissection, there are many different scenarios - depending on how bad the acute phase was. After open heart surgery and repaid of the aorta, multiple problems can be present, or for some, very few remaining problems are there.

Posted Mar 29, 2017 by Timo Söderlund 6072

*sorry for bad English*

I felt a really painful ripping in my chest. The day after, I was feeling really sick. Had a bad pain in my lower back and a strange pain between my shoulder blades.

Posted May 20, 2017 by Karin 400

Severe pain in back and kidney area, dizziness, collapse.

Posted Jul 12, 2017 by Errol 1650

Depending on the type of Aortic aneurysm attack, the pain threshold varies. I had Descending aortic dissection and for me ,it was stabbing pain at the back and front. Also right leg felt heavy and numbness with pins and needle effect on the sole of feet.

Posted Jul 19, 2017 by Rudesh 550

Tearing pain, low blood pressure, collapsed on the floor.

Posted Sep 10, 2017 by Allison Seed 302

The worst symptom in my Dissection was the excruciating chest pain radiating through to my back and travelling through to my abdomen.
I did not have the classic tearing sensation, it was more of a fluttering feel as the dissection ran downward quickly.
Dan Burgess UK

Posted Sep 11, 2017 by Dan 1998

Der vernichtende Schmerz, welcher nicht enden wollte . Ich könnte nicht liegen, nicht sitzen - bis zum Zusammenbruch.

Posted Sep 11, 2017 by Regina 802

My symptoms began with complete loss of the use of my legs. I called emergency, went to the ER, but the legs got better and nothing was found. The next day, I apparently woke my friend Tom who was staying with me and I told him to call 911. My dissection was fortunately discovered. After my legs gave out and I was waiting for the ambulance, I had intense pain in my back, especially along my left shoulder blade. I knew something was terribly wrong, but the pain seemed diverse except for the back pain. I also had an intense feeling of doom which hasn't completely left me after a year.

Posted Sep 14, 2017 by Bill 350

Often there are no noticeable symptoms OF Aortic disease, until the very moment of dissection(s) when the Inner layer of the Artery tears away/tears open its generally described as a Tearing sensation Pain down the Back during an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (Type B) or more similar to a classic heart attack (pain radiating down one side in a Thoracic Ascending Aortic (Type A) When the Aorta Tears The pain is excruciating compared to any other kind except childbirth (Ladies?)

Posted Sep 21, 2017 by Jim 5641

Tiredness and dizziness

Posted Sep 23, 2017 by Christine 1400

While driving, I felt my left left go numb.
I know something was wrong I drove myself straight to the ER. By the time I arrived and got back to see the doctor there was no pulse in my foot and it had turned blue. My blood pressure was off the chart at the time. The ER doctor knew exactly what it was and I was medflighted to Vanderbilt within 30 minutes. I never experienced any pain in my abdomen nor my back.

Posted Oct 4, 2017 by Lynette 100

Normally tjere are no obvious symtoms...but pre dissection pain is usually severe

Posted Feb 3, 2018 by Lindsay McKinney 2520

Tiredness, back ache

Posted Feb 4, 2018 by Julie 750

Pain over the chest going to the lower back just over the kindeys

Posted Feb 10, 2018 by Marvinskan 1100

I had experienced severe back pain.

Posted Mar 2, 2018 by Mark 600

The symptoms are the same as a heart attack. Shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue. For a b dissection like mine, l had waves og pain in my lower back, like a kindey stone passing.

Posted Jun 3, 2018 by Jeppe 2300

Sudden sharp chest pain can radiate to back,no BP, Pale,diaphoretic

Posted Jun 6, 2018 by Karhleenmc 800

My symptoms were a burning sensation at the back of my throat followed by extreme breathing difficulties combined with chest pains.

Posted Sep 23, 2018 by Stefan 2500

Symptoms include fatigue, cognitive vagueness, short term memory issues, dizziness, lack of physical endurance, emotional dissonance.
Fatigue and low physical endurance affect all aspects of your new life

Posted Nov 7, 2018 by Sean 900

Sudden pain in the chest and sometimes between the shoulders, Dizzy Ness, sweating, fainting.

Posted Mar 12, 2019 by Bengt 2500

Felt like BAD heart burn.

Posted May 13, 2019 by Chris 1600

Breathless, stabbing back pain, tiredness, feeling weak, faint

Posted Jul 20, 2019 by Sean 400

Death
Death
Death
Death

Posted Jul 29, 2019 by MCSzombie 6220

Their are none. I woke up with back pain, few hours later I went to the hospital and only after two CT scans (one of my lower back and one of my chest) I was rushed to a thoracic theater for surgery.

Posted Aug 31, 2019 by [email protected] 800

Initially, I had intense chest pain with a ripping feeling. Emergency surgery was done. I had no prior symptoms, but after five surgeries over 33 years I have many problems as a result of the surgeries. The problems, after the first surgeries were not terrible and with time they got better. These were back problems, lack of stamina, some vision problems and confusion. My last operation, done at Johns Hopkins about four years ago was to replace a valve. The surgeon who took this on told me that if we didn’t do it, I would probably not last a less than a year. But if I went to surgery, my chances were very slim. There was just too much scar tissue to deal with. I made it through the surgery, but I was at Hopkins for close to five months. They had to induced a coma for a week or so. I ended up in a wheelchair and on oxygen (do to a tracheotomy during surgery) for over a year. Today, I am off oxygen, but can’t walk far without being out of breath. My back is constantly a source of pain. And my memory has been effected. There are many other small problems, but considering everything, I am just happy to be alive at 70 years of age!

Posted Oct 8, 2019 by Sandy 2500

Extreme sharp or tearing pain in the chest, back or stomach that can radiate to other areas of the body.
Nausea or vomiting
syncope or fainting
Numbness in the limbs

Posted Jan 20, 2020 by Kurt 900

During my AD I experienced complete vision loss. I was cold and clammy to touch, but sweating a lot. These symptoms continued and then I began with sharp sudden stabbing in my chest. My blood pressures read completely different in one arm and the other.

Posted Jan 21, 2020 by jessbezmc 900

Chest pains, moderate and sudden (no other symptoms)

Posted May 26, 2020 by Arne 2300

I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Health Home, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Health Home via their em ail at [email protected] . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!

Posted Apr 4, 2021 by Robert 9039

Not knowing what High blood pressure # or High heart rate could trigger another one. I have no after symptoms except a pain in my right shoulder when lifting my arm above shoulder height.

Posted Apr 2, 2022 by Larry 2550