A multi-scale computational method is developed for a quantitative investigation of the hemodynamics in the human thoracic aorta. A 3D biodynamic computational model of the aorta together with its three arterial branches is constructed based on a series of DSA medical images. To account for the effect of the whole cardiovascular system on the blood flow in the aorta, a lumped 0D model is coupled with the 3D computation. With this multi-scale method, the influence of cardiovascular disease or dynamics on the hemodynamics in the aorta is numerically analyzed. Exercise is demonstrated to have a considerable influence on the flow patterns, especially wall share stress (WSS) distribution in the aorta.