Heart & Vascular:
Conditions

Coarctation of the aorta is obstruction or narrowing of the aorta that typically occurs just beyond the left subclavian artery (the artery that supplies blood to the left arm). This condition can lead to hypertension in both children and adults. It is commonly associated with a bicuspid aortic valve. Even when repaired in childhood, ongoing follow-up as an adult is required to screen for abnormal growth of the aorta, re-narrowing of the aorta and heart valve disease that requires surgery.