Aortic Dissection : Risk Factors

Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a congenital heart defect that develops in the fetus. It involves a constricture of the aorta, the main artery that delivers blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body.

Aortic coarctation is a narrowing of part of the aorta (the major artery leading out of the heart. It is a type of birth defect. Coarctation means narrowing.

A defect that develops in the fetus in which there is a narrowing of the aortic arch, the main blood artery that delivers blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body. Coarctation of the aorta is diagnosed in both newborns and adults.

Detailed information on coarctation of the aorta, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on heart defects that cause obstructions in blood flow

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common malformation of the heart valves. In this type of deformity, the aortic valve has only two cusps, which are rigid points such as that seen on leaves, instead of the three cusps normally present.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common malformation of the heart valves. In this type of deformity, the aortic valve has only two cusps, which are rigid points such as that seen on leaves, instead of the three cusps normally present.

I have been diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease. The specialist also told me that my bluish/purple fingers and toes were "acrocyanosis." What is acrocyanosis, and what is its relationship to connective tissue disease?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders marked by extremely loose joints, hyperelastic skin that bruises easily, and easily damaged blood vessels.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) refer to a group of inherited disorders that affect collagen structure and function. Genetic abnormalities in the manufacturing of collagen within the body affect connective tissues, causing them to be abnormally weak.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) refer to a group of inherited disorders that affect collagen structure and function. Genetic abnormalities in the manufacturing of collagen within the body affect connective tissues, causing them to be abnormally weak.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) refers to a group of inherited disorders that affect collagen structure and function. Genetic abnormalities in the manufacturing of collagen within the body affect connective tissues, causing them to be abnormally weak.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) refer to a group of inherited disorders that affect collagen structure and function. Genetic abnormalities in the manufacturing of collagen within the body affect connective tissues, causing them to be abnormally weak.

What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.

Conditions with a link to the individual ' s genetic make-up. Genetic disorders are conditions that can be traced to an individual ' s heredity.

Detailed information on the different types of genetic diseases that can affect a pregnancy

Detailed information on the most common congenital and hereditary disorders in children

A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about the hereditary elements of addiction.

Variations within the DNA sequence of a particular gene affect its function, and may cause or predispose an individual a particular disease. Alterations in the genome may increase the frequency of disorder and disease with entire populations.

Any unusual variation or abnormality in the shape, structure, and/or function of an organ, body part, or tissue is commonly referred to as a birth defect. However, congenital anomaly is the more accurate and preferred term, since birth defect can be misinterpreted to mean a defect produced by the birthing process.

Variations within the DNA sequence of a particular gene affect its function and may cause or predispose an individual a particular disease. Alterations in the genome may increase the frequency of disorder and disease with entire populations.

The traditional method used to study an inherited disease is to observe the pattern of its distribution in families through examination of a pedigree, the construction of which begins with the individual first known to have the disease. The pedigree pattern allows one to judge whether or not the distribution conforms to Mendelian principles of segregation and assortment, and thus represents single-factor inheritance.

Heart surgery for congenitaal defects consists of a variety of surgical procedures that are performed to repair the many types of heart defects that may be present at birth and can go undiagnosed into adulthood. Purpose Heart surgery for congenital defects is performed to repair a defect, providing improved blood flow to the pulmonary and systemic circulations and better oxygen delivery to the body.

Open heart surgery is any surgery where the chest is opened and surgery is performed on the heart. The term "open" refers to the chest, not the heart itself. The heart may or may not be opened, depending on the type of surgery. The definition of open heart surgery becomes confusing in light of new procedures being performed on the heart through smaller incisions. There are some new surgical procedures being performed that are done with the heart still beating. Minimally invasive heart surgery (MIDCAB, OPCAB, RACAB), including robotic-assisted heart surgery, is still considered open heart surgery. However, these procedures are being used in some patients as an alternative to open heart surgery requiring the heart-lung machine. See also: Angioplasty of the heart; Atrial septal defect repair; Cardiac transplant; Coarctation of the aorta repair; Congenital heart defect corrective surgery; Heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft - CABG; Heart transplant; Heart valve prosthesis; Heart valve surgery; Heart-and-lung transplant; Hypoplastic left heart repair; Minimally invasive heart surgery (MIDCAB, OPCAB, RACAB; Patent ductus arteriosus ligation; PDA ligation; Prosthetic heart valves; Tetralogy of Fallot repair; Total anomalous pulmonary venous return correction; Transplant of the heart; Transplant of the heart and lungs; Transposition of great vessels repair; Tricuspid atresia repair; Truncus arteriosus repair; Valve replacement; Ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair.

It’s great if you can keep your heart healthy—by not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular physical activity. But what if you end up needing heart surgery? What should you know about the procedure?

Almost three years ago I had triple bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. I did so having only one lung. It feels like the operation somehow harmed my lung, making it harder to breathe. Can heart surgery do this?

Marfan syndrome is a disorder of connective tissue, the tissue that strengthens the body's structures. Disorders of connective tissue affect the skeletal system, cardiovascular system, eyes, and skin.

Detailed information on Marfan syndrome, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on Marfan Syndrome, one type of autosomal dominant condition

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of the connective tissue that causes abnormalities of the patient's eyes, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. It is named for the French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan (1858-1942), who first described it in 1896.

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of the connective tissue that causes abnormalities of the patient ' s eyes, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. It is named for the French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan (1858-1942), who first described it in 1896.

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of the connective tissue that causes abnormalities of the patient ' s eyes, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. It is named for the French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan (1858-1942), who first described it in 1896.

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of the connective tissue that causes abnormalities of a child ' s eyes, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system. It is named for the French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan (1858-1942), who first described it in 1896.

Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg (ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.

Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas

A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation ' s health.

More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.

Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy

Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications

Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects

For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.

Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the most important.

Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.

Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy

Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.

A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?

As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn’t prepared.

Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you’re having trouble protecting your back, it’s okay to ask the people around you for help!

Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents

Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management

Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn

Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy

Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.

Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.

Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy

Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy

No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.

After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.

My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?

I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?

During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?

Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.

Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant? Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.

Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.

If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.

You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.

The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.

Your health can affect your baby’s growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.

Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding

Detailed information on sex during pregnancy

Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during

Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening

I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?

What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?

I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?

If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?

Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy? Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.

My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?

I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?

During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?

Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?

Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb? Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.

Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant? Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.

From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we’ve outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.

From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.

Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.

Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.

A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.

The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.

At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.

Pseudoxanthoma elascticum (PXE) is an inherited connective tissue disorder in which the elastic fibers present in the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system gradually become calcified and inelastic. PXE was first reported in 1881 by Rigal, but the defect in elastic fibers was described in 1986 by Darier, who gave the condition its name.

Syphilis is an infectious systemic disease that may be either congenital or acquired through sexual contact or contaminated needles. Syphilis has both acute and chronic forms that produce a wide variety of symptoms affecting most of the body ' s organ systems.

Syphilis is an easily spread infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.

A sexually transmitted disease that, if untreated, can cause permanent damage to the heart and central nervous system. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STDs) caused by an organism called Treponema pallidum.

People don’t talk as much about syphilis today as they did in the past. But people still become infected with syphilis, and it can cause very serious problems.

Syphilis is an infectious systemic disease that may be either congenital or acquired through sexual contact or contaminated needles. Syphilis has both acute and chronic forms that produce a wide variety of symptoms affecting most of the body ' s organ systems.

Syphilis is an infectious systemic disease that may be either congenital or acquired through sexual contact or by exposure to contaminated needles. Syphilis has both acute and chronic forms that produce a wide variety of symptoms affecting most of the body's organ systems.