Final answer:
Coarctation of the aorta causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest pain. A chest X-ray can show abnormalities like rib notching and an enlarged left ventricle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital abnormal narrowing of the aorta. Symptoms suggestive of coarctation of the aorta include difficulty breathing, poor appetite, trouble feeding, or failure to thrive in infants, and dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, headache, and nosebleeds in older individuals.
In a chest X-ray, you would expect to find certain abnormalities that indicate coarctation of the aorta. These include rib notching, which is a result of dilated collateral blood vessels that erode the ribs, and an enlarged left ventricle or aortic knob. Additionally, you may see pulmonary congestion or a curvature of the aorta.