Risk Factors
Aortic dissection is fairly uncommon. The following risk factors increase your chances of developing aortic dissection:
- High blood pressure (associate with the majority of aortic dissection cases)
- Males between 40 and 70 years of age
- Type A dissection typically occurs in at ages 50-55, while Type B usually occurs at an older age
- Atherosclerosis
- Aortic aneurysm
- An aortic valve defect
- Constricted aorta (aortic coarctation)
- A major chest injury, such as in an auto accident
- Nearing the end of a pregnancy
- Untreated syphilis
- Genetic diseases such as Turner syndrome, Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Cocaine use
- Smoking
