Which of the following is a symptom of aortic dissection?

• A. Sharp stabbing pain in back, arm and jaw
• B. Chest pain only
• C. Fever
• D. Rash

Answer: (A)

Aortic dissection shows up as abrupt, severe chest or back pain that’s often described as tearing or ripping and may radiate to the back and toward the shoulders, arms, or even the jaw. This sudden, intense pain pattern signals a vascular emergency where the layers of the aorta separate. The described symptom—sudden sharp stabbing pain in the back with radiation to the arm and jaw—best fits this characteristic pain distribution, making it the most consistent clue for dissection. Fever or rash point to infection or inflammatory conditions and aren’t typical features of an acute dissection, while chest pain alone can occur in many problems but lacks the classic back radiation that helps distinguish dissection.