Your aorta is the largest artery in your body. It carries blood and oxygen from your heart to other parts of your body. It’s shaped like a curved candy cane. Your ascending aorta leads up from your heart. Your descending aorta travels back down into your abdomen (belly).

Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital (present at birth) heart defect. It’s also called aortic coarctation (pronounced “ay-or-tuhk” “koh-ark-TEY-shun”). This defect affects your baby’s aorta, which is the largest artery in their body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your baby’s heart to the rest of their body. If your baby has aortic coarctation, one part of their aorta is narrower …

An aortic dissection is a tear in your aorta. This is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood away from your heart to the rest of your body. It runs through your chest and abdomen and down to your legs. A rare condition, an aortic dissection begins abruptly when a tear happens in the inner layer of a weakened area of your aorta. Blood surges …

Aortic valve disease is a group of conditions that affect your aortic valve and prevent it from working as it should. Your aortic valve is the “door” that manages blood flow out of your heart to the rest of your body. This valve allows blood to travel from your heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle) into a large artery called your aorta. From there, your blood travels …

Aortic regurgitation, also called aortic regurgitation, refers to a leaky aortic valve. With this condition, the leaflets or cusps of your heart’s aortic valve don’t close as tightly as they should. As a result, some blood that should move out of your heart leaks backward each time your heart beats. Your aortic valve is the “door” that opens and closes to control …

Aortic valve stenosis (or aortic stenosis) describes an aortic valve in your heart that’s narrowed or blocked. This interferes with the normal blood flow out of your heart. Because this condition restricts blood flow, it also limits how much oxygen your body gets. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting. Aortic stenosis can cause heart damage, major health problems and even death. …

Angelman syndrome is a rare, complex neurodevelopmental condition that primarily affects your nervous system. It’s caused by issues with a specific gene called UBE3A. Your nervous system is your body’s command center. Originating from your brain, it controls your movements, thoughts, behaviors and automatic responses to the world around you. Characteristic features of Angelman syndrome include: Developmental delay that’s often noticeable by six …

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a condition that makes your body much more likely than usual to form blood clots. Healthcare providers sometimes call it antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The blood clots from APS can cause severe, life-threatening complications like strokes. They can also make pregnant people much more likely to experience miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. APS is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune …

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, your heart may beat faster and harder to gain more blood, causing you noticeable pain. Angina isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom and a warning sign of heart disease. About 10 million people in the U.S. experience angina. So, if you have this …

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental health condition that can affect the way you think and interact with others and lead you to: Manipulate or deceive people. Exploit or take advantage of someone else for your own benefit. Disregard the law or the rights of other people. Feel no remorse for your actions. It’s common for people diagnosed with ASPD to …