What is Takayasu arteritis?

What is Takayasu arteritis?

Takayasu arteritis is a disease involving mainly the large blood vessels, usually the aorta and its major branches. It has various other names like aortoarteritis, young female arteritis, pulseless disease etc. Young female arteritis because it occurs commonly in young females. Pulseless disease because upper limb blood vessels are often occluded and the pulses are not easily felt. It can also involve the heart sometimes. High blood pressure can be associated, though it may be difficult to document because upper limb blood vessels are blocked.