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How can coarctation of the aorta cause high blood pressure in the upper body?

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The role of coronary artery disease in heart attack — cardiovascular disease This micrograph shows a cross section of a coronary artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque (purplish matter inside the artery). Most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which triggers the formation of a clot that abruptly blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.

Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital malformation characterized by a narrowing of the aorta, typically occurring just beyond the origin of the subclavian artery, which supplies blood to the left arm.12

This obstruction creates a mechanical barrier that restricts blood flow to the lower half of the body. Because the narrowing is located after the branches that supply the head and upper extremities, blood pressure increases significantly in the upper body as the heart works harder to pump blood through the constricted channel. This condition often leads to hypertension in the arms, while blood flow to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs remains reduced. Over time, this increased workload can cause the left ventricle of the heart to enlarge and may eventually lead to heart failure.12