Friday Factoid: Aortic Dissection

A stark fact for today’s Friday Factoid. It’s Patient Safety Awareness Week and people with Marfan syndrome are at inherently greater risk of an aortic dissection. Early diagnosis is critical to survival. See the Signs, Save a Life.

Aortic dissection is the most serious complication that people with Marfan syndrome can suffer. Missed diagnosis still costs lives.  

The Marfan Trust along with other charities work tirelessly to raise awareness of aortic dissection. But awareness is also needed amongst the general public as well as in health professionals, to recognise the signs, so that they ‘Think Aorta’ and request the right test at the right time.   

Symptoms 

·       Pain (chest, neck, back, abdomen) 

·       Numbness in limbs 

·       Collapse 

Type of pain 

·       Very sudden onset 

·       Can come and go 

·       Pain can be described as ripping or tearing  

Risk Factors 

·       Connective tissue disorders (like Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome) 

·       Family history of aortic dissection 

·       Known aortic aneurysm 

·       High blood pressure 

·        

Carrying an alert card is one way to ensure your heightened risk of aortic dissection is evident to health professionals. You can also include medical alert information on your smartphone.