Deadlier than heart attack, aortic dissection often goes undiagnosed, experts warn

Kolkata: Aortic dissection — a potentially fatal condition in which the inner wall of the aorta, the body's main artery, ruptures — causes a significant number of deaths in Bengal but remains one of the most underdiagnosed and delayed-to-treat ailments, experts said at the 4th Eastern India Aortic Conclave 2026, which concluded in Kolkata on Sunday. The three-day meet was attended by more than 400 specialists from India and abroad. Experts stressed that aortic dissection can progress faster and be deadlier than a heart attack.Its symptoms are severe but are often not linked to a cardiac condition, said Atanu Saha, cardiac surgeon at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital. "Patients suddenly develop excruciating chest and back pain and start gasping. It can affect people of any age, including those with no history of heart disease. Doctors often fail to link it to the aorta, delaying diagnosis and treatment," he said. The condition is usually treated surgically by repairing the tear with a synthetic graft, along with medicines. Genetic factors, stress, trauma and smoking can also trigger it. "A 4-hour delay can reduce survival chances by 85%," said Saha.Several patients shared survival stories despite delayed diagnoses. Seventy-three-year-old retired mining engineer Aniruddha Gupta collapsed while playing golf and was diagnosed only after six hours. ISI student Aditya Nasakar underwent surgery a day after sudden chest pain and returned to classes within three weeks. Climate activist Somini Sen Dua and homemaker Meera Vehati also survived after emergency surgeries. Around 20 such surgeries are performed in Kolkata every year.