What is a dilated aortic root?

A dilated aortic root is an aortic root that has expanded through an aneurysm, according to Mayo Clinic. The primary risk that a dilation presents is that the aorta can stretch the valve, weakening or even tearing the heart.

If you experience a dilated aortic root, the recommended treatment is surgery to keep the aneurysm from rupturing or to keep the aorta from developing a tear elsewhere in the wall. People who have Marfan syndrome or some other heart issues are more likely than others to develop the sort of aneurysms that lead to dilations in the aortic root, states Mayo Clinic.