As the largest artery, the aorta is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a condition that causes the aorta to be narrower than normal, which can lead to serious health issues depending on the severity of the narrowing.
As a congenital heart defect, children are born with COA. However, the disorder does not affect every child in the same way. Significant narrowing of the aorta can cause blood pressure issues, paleness, problems breathing, and poor feeding in infants, but less significant narrowing may cause milder symptoms that appear later in adolescence.
Children with COA typically undergo surgery to ensure proper function of the aorta. There are two procedures that are commonly used:
In the event of mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend that your child is monitored in lieu of surgery. However, most children with this condition do require surgical intervention at some point.
The surgical procedures used to address COA are often highly effective, and many children with this condition go on to live full and happy lives. In some cases, COA procedures can increase a child’s blood pressure, in which case blood pressure medication may be necessary.
Over time, elevated blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, including a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood pressure medications work by reducing one’s heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels, which can stave off serious complications.