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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe signs and symptoms of coarctation of the aorta depend on its seriousness. Children with serious aortic narrowing tend to show signs and symptoms earlier in life, while mild cases may not be diagnosed until adulthood.
Babies with severe coarctation of the aorta usually begin having signs and symptoms shortly after birth. These include:
- Pale skin
- Irritability
- Heavy sweating
- Difficulty breathing
Left untreated, aortic coarctation in babies may lead to heart failure and death.
Older children and adults with the condition often don't have symptoms, because they tend to have less severe narrowing of the aorta. If signs or symptoms appear, the most common sign is high blood pressure (hypertension) measured in the arm. Signs and symptoms may include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Leg cramps or cold feet
- Nosebleeds
