Abdominal aortic calcification back pain – what is it?

Aside from common spine issues such as cervical spinal stenosis, sciatica, and other conditions like May Thurner Syndrome, abdominal aortic calcification may be the cause of your back pain.

Not familiar with this condition?

Keep reading to learn more.

What is Abdominal Aortic Calcification?

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerotic disease.

Risk factors include traditional cardiovascular risk factors and decreased bone mineral density.

Abdominal aortic calcification is shown to contribute to arterial stiffness and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality.

Abdominal Aortic Calcification Back Pain: What Is It?

One study found that subjects with aortic calcification were more likely to have general disc degeneration.

Furthermore, there was a strong relationship between the level of calcification and the degeneration of the corresponding disc; and, patients with more severe aortic calcification were found to be at a significantly higher risk of back pain.

Researchers concluded that aortic calcification, a marker for advanced atherosclerosis, increases a person’s risk for the development of disc degeneration and is associated with the occurrence of back pain.

“The relationship between aortic calcification and back pain is either through pain-sensitive structures, such as nerve roots, bones, and muscles that suffer from ischemic pain; through spinal dysfunction, caused by ischemic atrophy and degeneration of structures; or through a combination of both.”

Source: https://www.kadenchiropractic.com/aortic-calcification-disc-degeneration-and-back-pain/