What is a classic triad of symptoms associated with aortic dissection?

The classic triad of symptoms associated with aortic dissection includes chest pain, back pain, and asymmetric blood pressures.

Chest pain is typically described as severe, sudden-onset, and often resembling a tearing or ripping sensation. This pain may radiate to the back or shoulders due to the anatomical location of the thoracic aorta and its branches. Back pain often accompanies the chest pain, as the dissection can impact the blood flow to structures in the back or can also manifest as referred pain.

Asymmetric blood pressures are a critical finding in aortic dissection because the tear can lead to the involvement or occlusion of a major artery, causing significant differences in blood pressure readings between the left and right arms. This discrepancy can serve as an important clinical clue in diagnosing the condition.

In contrast, the other symptom combinations do not reflect the typical presentation of aortic dissection. Shortness of breath and nausea are more general symptoms that can be seen in a variety of conditions, including other cardiovascular issues but do not specifically characterize aortic dissection. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever suggest gastrointestinal issues or infections rather than vascular problems. Similarly, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue are nonspecific and can be attributed to numerous other medical