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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Aortic Coarctation - Coarctation of the Aorta

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The aorta is the main artery of the body and carries blood away from the heart. Coarctation is an abnormal narrowing in the aorta that is present at birth, causing congenital heart disease.

What is going on in the body?

It is not known why coarctation of the aorta occurs. The narrowing in the aorta decreases the amount of blood that can flow through it. The worse the narrowing, the worse the symptoms. Severe cases may lead to early symptoms in infancy. Milder cases may not be discovered until adulthood.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The cause of coarctation of the aorta is unknown. Those who are at higher risk for this condition include:

males, who are more commonly affected than females

those with Turner syndrome, a condition present at birth that affects only females and is caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes

those with other heart defects present at birth, often called congenital heart disease