My friend died on the way to the hospital at the age of 54 from an acute ascending aortic dissection. How can I make sure that this will not happen to me?
Almost all patients with aortic dissection have labile, under-treated hypertension as well as varying degrees of a connective tissue disorder affecting their aorta. This can be made worse by active or passive smoking. Other added risk factors are the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve, a sedentary life style or being overweight. Patients with any signs of the above should be considered high risk and be carefully evaluated and treated by aortic specialists.
