A narrowing of the large blood vessel (aorta) that leads from the heart. Coarctation of the aorta is usually present at birth (congenital) and may occur with other heart defects. Many people have no symptoms and the condition often isn't detected until adulthood. The most common symptom in adults is high blood pressure. Rarely, severe cases can cause heart failure in babies. Treatment involves surgery or a catheter-based procedure to fix the narrowing.