{"id":9065,"date":"2019-08-16T11:24:36","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T11:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9065"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:47:20","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T08:47:20","slug":"16-known-causes-of-aortic-dissection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/16-known-causes-of-aortic-dissection\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Known Causes of Aortic Dissection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The largest artery within your body is known as the aorta. The term aortic dissection is used to refer to the tearing of tissue within the innermost layer of your aorta. Blood then flows between the layers of the aorta, widening the gap. This can quickly be fatal if the heart doesn\u2019t get enough blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It could also lead to a total rupture within the aorta, which causes rapid internal bleeding \u2014 often killing the patient. The diagnosis process after detecting initial symptoms consists of either a CT scan or ultrasound. On occasion, other methods such as X-rays may also be used to check if an aortic dissection is indeed present. There are many things that can cause aortic dissection, and today we\u2019re going to look at eight common risk factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Chronic high blood pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first risk factor that we\u2019re going to go over in this article is chronic hypertension<\/a>, also known as chronic high blood pressure. High blood pressure has been known to cause aortic dissection as the increased stress put upon the aorta could weaken the inner walls, making an aortic dissection more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth noting that many patients are just fine despite their hypertension, but understanding that they\u2019re at an increased risk of aortic dissection is essential so they don\u2019t take on strenuous activities that may trigger it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older men \u2014 those above the age of 60, especially in men in their 70s \u2014 with hypertension are at a much higher risk of developing aortic dissection in comparison to women of the same age or younger men. Early detection and treatment drastically increase the survivability rate. Those with hypertension should seek immediate treatment if faced with symptoms of aortic dissection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Turner syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turner syndrome<\/a>, often abbreviated to TS, is a genetic condition in which a female is either completely or partially missing an X chromosome. Characteristic identifiers of this condition include ears located lower than average and webbed necks \u2014 often relatively short in length. There is no known cure as of yet, though scientists have been conducting research into potential treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart defects are common in patients with Turner syndrome. This is why they are more likely to develop aortic dissection. Unlike hypertension, this condition\/risk factor is limited to women and does not affect men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small jaws and stunted growth are among other common symptoms caused by Turner syndrome. The cardiac implications of Turner syndrome can put patients at a high risk of aortic dissection, especially during strenuous activities. That being said, TS patients can live normal lives with proper treatment and regular checkups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Marfan syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marfan syndrome<\/a> is a hereditary disorder that negatively impacts connective tissue which are the fibers that anchor, as well as support, structures in the body such as organs. The areas most prominently impacted by Marfan syndrome include the skeleton, eyes, heart, and blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Turner syndrome is often characterized by short necks, limbs, and fingers, Marfan syndrome is quite the opposite with elongated fingers, toes, legs, and arms. The aorta itself can sometimes be affected by Marfan syndrome, leading to an increased risk of aortic dissection. This complication of Marfan syndrome has a relatively high mortality rate, especially if immediate treatment is not administered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors will often focus on regulating the blood pressure of Marfan syndrome patients to reduce the stress on the aorta to prevent further damage. Those who suffer from an aortic dissection as a result of Marfan syndrome generally need to undergo surgery to repair their aorta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Aortic coarctation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aortic coarctation<\/a>. We know it might sound like an overwhelmingly complicated word, but it\u2019s just a fancy term that doctors use to describe the narrowing of the aorta. When the aorta narrows, your heart needs to work harder in order to pump the necessary amount of blood to keep your organs and tissue alive, as well as ensure they function at optimal efficiency. This increased stress on the aorta increases the odds of an aortic dissection occurring \u2014 especially if the condition remains untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of aortic coarctation are present since birth. In some instances, aortic coarctation isn\u2019t even detected. Unlike some of the other items on this list, aortic coarctation is actually relatively easy to relieve through treatment. That being said, while most procedures are successful, lifelong care and checkups are required to maintain a healthy state of living. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Bicuspid aortic valve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much like the previous cause that we covered, a bicuspid aortic valve<\/a> is a congenital condition meaning that it was present from birth. In bicuspid aortic valves, only two cups are present rather than the standard three.  There are also some cases where a patient is born with either one or four cups though these are significantly rarer than bicuspid aortic valves. There are no confirmed reports featuring five or more cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the lack of the third cup, the aortic valve becomes narrower. This narrowing of the valve restricts the flow of blood out of the heart. The increased stress put upon the valve could increase the odds of developing an aortic dissection. Many patients with bicuspid aortic valves don\u2019t even notice the issue until they reach adulthood as most children are asymptomatic. That being said, some children do experience valve-related issues due to the lack of a third cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome<\/a> is a group of various disorders \u2014 all hereditary \u2014 that affect the joints, skin, and the walls of blood vessels, among other types of connective tissue. The characteristic symptoms of the syndrome include abnormally flexible joints as well as elastic yet sensitive skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the common drawbacks of this condition is the fact that the skin is far too fragile to hold stitches and thus treating flesh wounds can be a difficult task. The vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can also pose serious health risks. The fragile and elastic nature of the skin extends to the veins and arteries \u2014 including the aorta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome of the vascular type has higher odds of suffering from an aortic dissection. Furthermore, aortic dissections in ED patients can also progress faster due to the fragile nature of their aorta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Loeys-Dietz syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Loeys-Dietz<\/a> features similar characteristics to both Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as Marfan syndrome. Five forms of Loeys-Dietz syndrome are known to exist \u2014 each one with a different genetic cause. Generally and across all types, the symptoms will be present from childhood all the way up to adulthood. That being said, the severity of the symptoms can vary from patient to patient and also from type to type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Loeys-Dietz syndrome, the aorta is enlarged beyond normal size. The condition can also cause the aorta to stretch as well as weaken. This may lead to an aortic aneurysm \u2014 which is a bulge in the wall of the blood vessel as a result of weakness that is usually caused by unbearable stress. The very stretching responsible for the aneurysm could also tear the innermost layer of the aorta leading to aortic dissection. Much like in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the progression is usually accelerated by the fragile skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Behcet’s disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Behcet\u2019s disease<\/a> is a relatively rare disorder. It causes inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the entire body of the patient. It is rather hard to diagnose due to the fact that the symptoms appear to be unrelated to one another, at least initially. Genital sores, mouth sores, skin rashes, lesions, and inflammation of the eyes are common in cases of Behcet\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the sores on the mouth and genitals, Behcet\u2019s disease is sometimes misdiagnosed as the herpes simplex virus. Failure to treat the disease can lead to blindness. Behcet\u2019s disease also inflames arteries and veins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inflammation of the arteries could lead to the development of various complications such as aneurysms. As we explained with the previous item on our list, aortic aneurysms are often a precursor to aortic dissection. Proper treatment can reduce vasculitis and thus lower the risk of aortic dissection for those suffering from Behcet\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Atherosclerosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Atherosclerosis describes a hardening of the arteries, providing one of the risk factors for the onset of aortic dissection. A person affected by atherosclerosis experiences a build-up of cholesterol on the artery walls, resulting in a hardening of the arteries that increases blood pressure<\/a>, leading to heart disease and elevation in blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, the arteries may continue to harden, and the cholesterol build-up may cause a blockage in the artery. As a result, the affected individual experiences a heart attack, or severe pressure on the cardiovascular and circulatory system, leading to the onset of aortic dissection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hypertension is also known as “the silent killer” because many patients don’t realize they have the condition until it is too late. A sudden aortic dissection is a life-threatening event. The patient needs immediate medical treatment, or they risk dying. Checking your cholesterol through a bloodwork test is important to monitor vascular health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Aortic Aneurysm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An aortic aneurysm describes a condition where the aorta develops a bulge that looks like a balloon inserted into the artery. The sudden swelling of the aorta places extreme pressure on the artery, weakening the walls and leading to a possible aortic dissection and death from internal bleeding, blood loss, and loss of blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 10,000 Americans experienced an aortic aneurysm in 2019, and it’s more common for men to develop the condition than women. In most cases, the primary cause of an aortic aneurysm is cigarette smoking. The increase in blood pressure leads to issues with the aorta, resulting in the development of the bulge, and the possibility of an aortic dissection, leading to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the patient notices severe chest pains in the weeks and days leading up to the aortic aneurysm. If you’re experiencing chest pains, have someone take you to the emergency room immediately; never drive yourself as there is a risk you may pass out behind the wheel, causing an accident<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Smoking Tobacco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette smoking is responsible for health conditions that cause hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes contain a toxic cocktail of over 7,000 chemicals used in the “mother liquor” that manufacturers spray on tobacco. Most of these chemicals remain unstudied due to the lobbying of big tobacco to prevent adequate medical research on the compounds found in cigarettes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, one thing is certain \u2013 cigarette smoking dramatically reduces lifespan, and it places tremendous pressure on the respiratory, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems. Typically, smokers have blood pressure around 10 to 20-points higher than non-smokers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The danger range for blood pressure is above 120\/80, and many smokers have readings of 140\/90 or more. This elevation in blood pressure leads to “hypertension,” placing the cardiovascular system at risk of developing an aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, men with any history of smoking tobacco should receive an ultrasound <\/a>screening from a trained professional to check the health of the aorta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Obesity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Obesity is a huge problem in the United States. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) reading above 30. The BMI measures a person’s body weight in relation to their height. While it’s not always an effective tool for assessing body composition, it’s a good general rule of thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obese individuals are at risk of several diseases that damage their health. According to their BMI reading, more than 36% of Americans are obese. As a result, they are at risk of developing chronic health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevated blood pressure can quickly develop into hypertension in obese <\/a>patients. As a result of the onset of hypertension, the patient experiences additional pressure on the circulatory system and the aorta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 If left undiagnosed and untreated, hypertension can lead to the onset of an aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. Keeping your BMI at a range of 25 or under ensures you don’t have to deal with the health complications involved with obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Car Accidents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A car accident can cause aortic dissection, depending on the speed of the accident and the type of accident caused by the parties involved. If you’re involved in a head-on collision <\/a>with another car or an animal like a cow, your vehicle will come to a dead stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re traveling at speeds above 40-mph, the inertia in your body causes your heart to move forward in your chest, ripping away from the aorta causing aortic dissection. Inertia is the energy you have moving forward, and when you come to a sudden stop, the body continues this forward momentum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seatbelt holds you in place, but it does nothing to dissipate the energy involved with the inertia. Asa result, your heart tears itself from the chest cavity, resulting in sudden death from aortic dissection. However, it’s important to note that this is not a reason to avoid wearing our seatbelts in the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Lack of Early Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a patient develops an aortic aneurysm or experiences an aortic dissection, it’s important that they get immediate medical assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During an aortic dissection, you have precious minutes left to live. Without receiving immediate medical attention, they’ll end up bleeding to death internally. Even with prompt medical assistance, there is a high risk that the patient will not live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether the patient lives depends on the sills of the medical team and the time it takes them to seek treatment. Early treatment of an aortic aneurysm may give the doctors enough time to avoid the complications resulting in aortic dissection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have chest pains<\/a>, and you are over the age of 60, have someone drive you to the emergency room right away. Please don’t leave it to the following day to book an appointment with your M.D.; they are likely to send you straight to the hospital anyway. Avoid driving to the hospital yourself, have a friend or family member take you there, or call an Uber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Lifestyle Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our lifestyle plays a central role in our health. If you regularly eat fast food, drink alcohol, smoke, and get no exercise, you are in a high-risk category for developing an aortic dissection later in life. Everything that passes your throat plays a role in your health. Diets high in saturated animal fat are proven to be bad for heart health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing your diet to avoid processed foods and sugar is one of the best ways to ensure your life a full and happy life without getting sick when you’re older. Aortic dissection is more common in men over the age of 60. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that use recreational drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine are also at higher risk of developing aortic dissection. These drugs increase blood pressure and the likelihood of developing an aortic aneurysm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other less-common lifestyle factors influencing the onset of an aortic aneurysm include people that train with weights and pregnant <\/a>women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An aortic dissection is a life-threatening event requiring immediate medical attention. Failure to get the diagnosis and treatment you need may result in severe complications. The aorta is the superhighway of the circulatory system. Severing the aorta <\/a>produces enough pressure to drive the blood over nine feet into the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, an aortic dissection results in rapid internal bleeding, resulting in the patient dying from blood loss, even though the blood remains inside the body. The blood loss from the event may also cause severe kidney damage and intestinal damage. If the patient receives treatment right away, there is a chance they service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoverer, the longer they wait to receive medical assistance, the greater the patient’s chance of dying. The patient may experience a stroke or aortic valve damage, known as aortic regurgitation, or a rupture in the cardiac tamponade, the lining around the heart. If you experience chest pain and you’re over 60, get to the emergency room immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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