Causes and Diagnoses

Causes, Prevention and Tests to Diagnose Aortic Dissections

There are multiple factors that may contribute to the development of an aortic dissection. These factors include:

• Atherosclerosis (deposits of fat, cholesterol and calcium) inside the aorta
• Connective tissue disorders (affecting muscle or skin), such as Marfan syndrome
• Bicuspid aortic valve (heart valve defect that is present at birth)
• Inflammatory disease
• High blood pressure
• Trauma to the chest
• Family history of aneurysms or dissection

Prevention

Some risk factors cannot be prevented, such as a family history of aneurysms.

However, there are some behaviors that can lower your risk of a thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, including:

• Monitoring and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol
• Not smoking cigarettes, using vape pens or any other tobacco products
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet