Complications Of Takayasu's Arteritis To Watch Out For

Blood Vessel Narrowing And Hardening

It's possible for the inflammation from Takayasu's arteritis to cause blood vessel narrowing and hardening. The disease typically presents in two stages. The first stage includes fatigue and aching due to inflammation, and about half of the patients feel generally unwell. In the second stage, the inflammation causes narrowing of the arteries. Less oxygen and fewer nutrients can reach the body, which leads to symptoms like lightheadedness, chest pain, anemia, and weakness in the limbs. When the blood vessel is narrower, there's a higher chance of substances building up on the arterial walls. Fats adhere to the inside walls of the aorta and calcify over time. As blockage builds up, the flow of blood from the heart is further restricted. This can lead to catastrophic cardiovascular events or neurological damage caused by a stroke.