What are significant risk factors for aortic dissection?

The identification of Marfan's syndrome and hypertension as significant risk factors for aortic dissection is crucial. Marfan's syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue, leading to structural weaknesses in various systems throughout the body, particularly affecting the aorta. Individuals with Marfan's syndrome often have elongated aortas that are predisposed to dissection due to the inherent fragility of the connective tissue.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another major contributing factor. Chronic elevated blood pressure can lead to mechanical stress on the aortic wall, increasing the risk of tears and subsequent dissection. The combination of these two factors significantly raises the likelihood of aortic dissection in affected individuals, which is why they are recognized as significant risk factors in clinical contexts.

In contrast, while other options might include factors that impact cardiovascular health, they are not as directly associated with the risk of aortic dissection as hypertension and Marfan's syndrome are.