Vascular & Venous Disease
Coarctation of the Aorta
The aorta is narrowed just past the vessels to the head and arms. Pressure runs high above the narrowing and the leg pulse is weak below it.
This is a free, plain-language patient education guide written by Rias Ali, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist. Every guide is grounded in current peer-reviewed evidence and major society guidelines, organized in a way patients can actually use during a visit.
Download the Coarctation of the Aorta guide
What's inside this guide
- Plain-language explanation of coarctation of the aorta
- Why it matters and what the major risks are
- Treatment options with risks, benefits, and alternatives
- Common misconceptions clarified
- Lifestyle and self-care advice
- Specific warning signs — when to call us, when to call 911
- Sources used to build the guide (peer-reviewed and society guidelines)