I70-I79: Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries

I71: Aortic aneurysm and dissection

Aortic aneurysm and dissection are serious conditions affecting the aorta, the main blood vessel in the body that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aortic aneurysm occurs when a part of the aorta balloons or bulges out, causing the walls of the blood vessel to become thin and weak. This condition can lead to aortic rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency. An aortic dissection, on the other hand, happens when there's a tear in the inner layer of the aorta. This can cause blood to flow between the layers of the blood vessel wall, leading to the separation (or dissection) of these layers. Symptoms of these conditions may include severe, sudden chest or back pain, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. Both conditions may progress rapidly and affect the flow of blood to vital organs. These issues can arise due to factors like high blood pressure, blood vessel diseases, and certain genetic disorders.