Takayasu ArteritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Takayasu Arteritis
Takayasu arteritis is an inflammation of large arteries such as the aorta and its major branches. The aorta is the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Pulseless disease; Large-vessel vasculitis
The cause of Takayasu arteritis is not known. The disease occurs mainly in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. It is more common in people of East Asian, Indian or Mexican descent. However, it is now being seen more often in other parts of the world. Several genes that increase the chance of having this problem were recently found.
Takayasu arteritis appears to be an autoimmune condition. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the blood vessel wall. The condition may also involve other organ systems.
This condition has many features that are similar to giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis in older people.
Symptoms may include:
- Arm weakness or pain with use
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Lightheadedness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Skin rash
- Night sweats
- Vision changes
- Weight loss
- Decreased radial pulses (at the wrist)
- Difference in blood pressure between the two arms
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
There may also be signs of inflammation (pericarditis or pleuritis).
Treatment of Takayasu arteritis is difficult. However, people who have the right treatment can improve. It is important to identify the condition early. The disease tends to be chronic, requiring long-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines.
MEDICINES
Most people are first treated with high doses of corticosteroids such as prednisone. As the disease is controlled the dose of prednisone is decreased.
In almost all cases, immunosuppressive medicines are added to reduce the need for long-term use of corticosteroids and yet maintain control of the disease.
Conventional immunosuppressive medicines such as methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, or leflunomide are often added.
Biologic medicines may also be effective. These include TNF inhibitors such as infliximab, etanercept, and tocilizumab.
SURGERY
Surgery or angioplasty may be used to open up narrowed arteries to supply blood or open up the constriction.
Aortic valve replacement may be needed in some cases.
Tanaz Kermani is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Kermani is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Takayasu Arteritis. She is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Temporal Arteritis, Vasculitis, and Takayasu Arteritis. Dr. Kermani is currently accepting new patients.
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Curry Koening is a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in Murray, Utah. Dr. Koening is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Takayasu Arteritis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Vasculitis, Microscopic Polyangiitis, and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).
APHP Pitié Salpétrière
Patrice Cacoub practices practicing medicine in Paris, France. Mr. Cacoub is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Takayasu Arteritis. He is also highly rated in 42 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cryoglobulinemia, Vasculitis, Takayasu Arteritis, Vitrectomy, and Leg or Foot Amputation.
This disease can be fatal without treatment. However, a combined treatment approach using medicines and surgery has reduced death rates. Adults have a better chance of survival than children.
Complications may include:
- Blood clot
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Pericarditis
- Aortic valve insufficiency
- Pleuritis
- Stroke
- Gastrointestinal bleeding or pain from blockage of bowel blood vessels
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition. Immediate care is needed if you have:
- Weak pulse
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
Background: \- Vasculitis is a group of diseases that inflame and damage blood vessels and tissue. It can cause many medical problems. Few tests can diagnose the disease, and none can reliably predict a relapse. Researchers want to study people s genes and follow people over time to see how the disease affects them.
Summary: Inflammatory Cardiovascular Diseases and Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ICARDs) encompass cardiovascular involvement in connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, and primary inflammatory cardiac processes affecting all layers of the heart. ICARDs are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, independently of traditional risk factors, via multiple pathophysiological mechanisms...
Published Date: October 09, 2025
Published By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Beckman JA. Diseases of the aorta. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 63.
Ehlert BA. Takayasu disease. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 140.
Miller JB, Hellmann DB. Giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and Takayasu's arteritis. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 89.