A person with Takayasu's arteritis has a rare illness that causes inflammation of the aorta and in the arteries that branch off of the aorta.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body: blood passes from the heart and through the aorta, before it is delivered to the rest of the body. Arteries that branch off the aorta supply blood to the heart, brain, arms, legs, liver, spleen, intestine and kidneys.

Takayasu's arteritis can cause:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney failure
• Weak pulses in the arms, neck, or legs
• A difference in blood pressure between the arms and the legs
• Angina
• Syncope
• Stroke
• TIA
• Congestive heart failure