The main symptom of an aortic dissection is severe pain in your chest or back. This may feel like tearing or ripping.
You can also have pain in your stomach. The symptoms can be mistaken for acute gastritis, lung pain or a heart attack.
Common signs and symptoms of an aortic dissection include:
- sudden severe chest or upper back pain - it can radiate to your neck or down your back
- sudden severe tummy pain
- loss of consciousness
- shortness of breath
- sudden difficulty speaking, loss of vision, weakness or paralysis of 1 side of your body, like a stroke
- a weaker pulse in 1 arm or thigh compared to the other
- pain in your legs, tummy or side
- difficulty walking
- sweaty and clammy skin
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to your nearest emergency department now if:
- you have any signs or symptoms of aortic dissection
These symptoms do not always mean a serious problem. But early detection and treatment may save your life.
