Aortic sclerosis refers to the hardening and thickening of the main artery, known as the aorta, caused by deposits of calcium, fat, and other substances building up in the artery wall. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body and carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all the organs. When changes like these occur in the aorta, it is considered a form of arteriosclerosis that affects the aorta specifically.
How does aortic sclerosis develop?
Over the course of a lifetime, various substances build up on the inner walls of the aorta, mainly cholesterol, fat, and calcium. These deposits cause the artery wall to become thicker and less flexible. The aorta can no longer stretch as well or respond to changes in blood pressure as easily. The risk of these changes increases with age, but certain lifestyle habits and existing health conditions also play a role.
The most important risk factors include persistently high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, and a lack of physical activity. A family history can also mean that deposits start forming in the aorta at a younger age. As people get older, a certain degree of aortic sclerosis is almost normal and is considered a typical age-related change in the large blood vessels.
What effects can this have on health?
As long as aortic sclerosis is only mild, it usually goes unnoticed and causes no symptoms. Most people do not feel anything different in their daily lives. Problems can arise only when the deposits become very heavy or when additional changes occur in the artery wall. The hardening causes the aorta to lose its flexibility, which can affect blood pressure throughout the body and put more strain on the heart.
In rare cases, larger calcium deposits can cause a narrowing of the aorta. The risk of complications such as a tear (aortic aneurysm) or a so-called dissection, where the artery wall splits apart, increases noticeably only in advanced aortic sclerosis. The formation of blood clots is also possible when the artery wall is severely affected. Such complications are rare, however, and usually only occur when changes are very pronounced.
Typical symptoms and diagnosis
Mild to moderate aortic sclerosis generally goes unnoticed. There are no typical symptoms that point directly to this change. Only with significant narrowing or complications such as an aneurysm can symptoms appear, such as pain in the chest or back, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Aortic sclerosis is most often discovered by chance, for example during an ultrasound scan of the heart or abdominal organs. A CT scan or an MRI scan can also make the calcifications visible. Doctor's letters or reports will often include a note saying "aortic sclerosis" or "calcified aorta", sometimes as an incidental finding during other examinations.
Is aortic sclerosis dangerous?
Many people feel worried when they see the term aortic sclerosis in their medical report. The good news is that in most cases it is a harmless age-related change that does not pose an immediate danger. Aortic sclerosis only becomes a problem when the calcification is very severe or when secondary conditions affecting the aorta are already present.
The diagnosis is often made without any treatment being necessary. What matters most is paying attention to any accompanying conditions and managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes effectively. This can help slow down the progression of the changes in the blood vessels.
What can help reduce the risk?
Anyone who has aortic sclerosis noted in their medical report can do quite a lot to support their own vascular health. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and giving up smoking all have a positive effect on the blood vessels. Bringing blood pressure back to a normal level and keeping blood sugar under control are also important steps to slow the progression of these changes.
Medicines to lower cholesterol or to control blood pressure are used when certain thresholds are exceeded or when further vascular conditions are already present. A specific treatment purely for mild aortic sclerosis is generally not necessary.
When should medical advice be sought?
For mild aortic sclerosis that is discovered by chance, no special treatment is usually needed. However, if symptoms such as persistent pain in the chest or abdomen, sudden weakness, shortness of breath, or severe back pain occur, medical advice should be sought straight away. Such symptoms can indicate a complication affecting the aorta that needs to be investigated quickly.
In everyday life, it is usually enough to attend routine check-up appointments and to keep an eye on known risk factors. Anyone who is unsure can ask specifically how pronounced the changes are and whether further monitoring would be worthwhile.
In most cases, aortic sclerosis is a sign of age-related changes that should be observed but do not automatically need to be treated. Looking after your vascular health through a healthy lifestyle and managing risk factors can make a real positive difference.
