Exact Answer: < 5 Years
The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. It helps to pump and circulate blood throughout the body. Being an important organ, it needs to be taken care of. Several heart problems can occur if it is not properly taken care of. Aortic dissection is one of those heart problems, in which the sufferer has to endure severe pain.
A person suffering from aortic dissection needs to have an operation immediately, otherwise, that person might be at life risk. without getting properly treated, a person with aortic dissection can die within less than 5 years.
How Long Can A Person Live With An Aortic Dissection?
| Type | Time |
| Aortic Dissection (Not Diagnosed) | < 5 Years |
| Aortic Dissection (Diagnosed) | > 5 Years |
A person cannot live long with aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a condition in which the innermost layer of the aorta suffers from and injury and blood gush into the gap between the two walls of the blood vessel. This condition drifts the blood vessels apart from the heart, disturbing the blood flow further. Aortic dissection has a severe effect on the human body and its symptoms include severe heart pain and back pain.
A person with high blood pressure is more prone to aortic dissection. Apart from heart and back pain, the sufferer also experiences constant breathing problems and loses consciousness. Immediately consulting the doctor is always advisable. There is not much medication that can be given, but the doctors suggest beta-blockers.
The condition mainly appears within people who are aged above 60 and suffering from high blood pressure. At that point of life, they have weak muscles which further escalate these kinds of conditions. Surgeries are the only ones that can cure aortic dissection. As mentioned above, aortic dissection does not let anyone live more than 5 years but if surgeries are done, it can cure this deadly condition.
Leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent aortic dissection from happening. High blood pressure in aortic dissection may cause hemorrhage. The blood between the walls fills the surrounding of the heart and cuts the blood flow. This can cause heart failure.
Why Does A Person With Aortic Dissection Live Long?
The time under which a person is given medical care is directly proportional to that person’s lifespan in the case of aortic dissection. Aortic dissection can be of two types. In the case of the first one, the problem arises in the ascending aorta, while in the second case, the problem arises during a tear in the lower aorta. Both require the almost same amount of time to be cured and both are equally fatal.
Both of the situations need immediate medical care as aortic dissections include life-threatening complications. Not only high blood pressure but other heart and kidney problems or aneurysm can also cause aortic dissection. In this situation, smoking should be avoided and medicines to maintain blood pressure should be taken regularly.
Surgeries are the best possible solution in this condition. But there are a few reported cases where even after surgeries, the patient suffers from other serious medical conditions like stroke, kidney failure, or even go to coma. Endovascular aneurysm repair or vascular grafting are a few solutions that can cure aortic dissections.
As most old people who are above 60 develop this situation, it is very difficult to operate them. they are not in their prime and an operation of such a high level can be fatal to them. So the doctors have to be extra careful. With Aortic dissection, it is impossible to live long, but even after operating they sometimes do not have the option of living much longer as they are already in their old age.
Conclusion
Aortic dissection is a condition that can further lead to many fatal situations. Most people who lead an unhealthy life in their prime can be subjected to this condition. Smoking is strictly prohibited in these conditions. The most important thing is to follow a proper healthy diet. Visiting a doctor regularly to get checked and keep the blood pressure under consult is suggested.
Aortic dissections have a lot of symptoms and even if one of them happens, an immediate checkup should be done to prevent any further complications. Proper medications should be given and the person should be kept under constant monitoring.
References
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM198710223171705
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(96)09372-5/fulltext?elsca1=SEMINAR-LP&elsca2=email&elsca3=&code=lancet-site