Woman's Back Pain Turns Out to Be Aortic Dissection; Yuan Rung and Taichung Veterans General Hospital's Emergency Relay Saves a Life; Doctors Warn of 3 Predisposing Factors: Hot Weather Increases Risk

A 65-year-old woman was recently rushed to Yuan Rung Hospital's emergency department due to sudden severe back pain. She described the pain to the doctor as not only severe but also having a tearing sensation that spread upwards, which was clearly different from common muscle strains. The emergency department'sWENG SHENG FUAttending Physicianbased on her symptoms and elevated blood pressure, highly suspected a fatal aortic dissection. Although initial ultrasound examination showed no clear findings, Dr. Weng did not take it lightly and immediately arranged for a further CT scan.

The CT scan results confirmed the doctor's judgment, with images showing a hematoma caused by microvascular rupture in the woman's aortic wall, a variant of aortic dissection. This condition is extremely dangerous; if not treated promptly within 48 hours, the mortality rate can be as high as 50%. After confirming the diagnosis, the medical team immediately transferred the patient to the collaborating Taichung Veterans General Hospital for emergency surgery, ultimately saving a precious life. The doctor determined that the patient had a history of hypertension, and this onset was likely due to poorly controlled blood pressure.

WENG SHENG FUAttending PhysicianIt is especially important to note that hot summer weather is one of the risk factors for aortic dissection. He explained that high temperatures can trigger multiple physiological changes, thereby increasing the risk of onset. Firstly, drastic temperature changes caused by frequently entering and exiting air-conditioned rooms can overwhelm autonomic nervous system regulation, leading to severe blood pressure fluctuations. Secondly, heavy sweating in summer, if not promptly rehydrated, can thicken the blood, also causing unstable blood pressure.

Furthermore, severe heatstroke can increase the burden on the cardiovascular system, while strenuous exercise or emotional agitation in high temperatures can also easily trigger a surge in blood pressure. Dr. Weng urged high-risk groups, such as those with a history of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, or aortic aneurysm, as well as men over 50, smokers, and obese individuals, to pay special attention during summer by avoiding going out during high-temperature periods and ensuring adequate hydration. If symptoms such as unexplained chest pain, back pain, or palpitations occur, seek immediate medical attention.