Health condition
Aortic dissection risk
Aortic dissection is a tear in the wall of the body’s main artery - a life-threatening emergency. Knowing who is at risk, and the symptoms that demand a 999 call, saves lives.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Warning signs: sudden severe tearing or ripping pain in the chest or between the shoulder blades, often with collapse, fainting or symptoms that migrate
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Call 999 immediately for sudden severe chest or back pain - dissection is frequently mistaken for a heart attack and every hour untreated increases mortality
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Specialist: a consultant cardiologist usually leads assessment and treatment
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Risk reduction centres on strict blood pressure control, surveillance imaging of known aneurysms, and planned preventive surgery when the aorta reaches threshold size
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Dissection occurs when blood forces its way between the layers of the aortic wall. The major risk factors are high blood pressure (present in most cases), an already enlarged aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, connective tissue conditions such as Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, a family history of dissection, pregnancy in susceptible women, and cocaine use.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
People at elevated risk - a known aneurysm, bicuspid valve or affected family - should be under surveillance with regular scans, meticulous blood pressure control and specialist advice on exercise. Preventive aortic root surgery at the right diameter is highly effective, which is why knowing you are at risk is genuinely protective. If you or someone with you develops warning symptoms, call 999 immediately - this is a medical emergency and rapid treatment saves lives. This guide is for understanding the condition and its follow-up, never a reason to delay an emergency call.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant cardiologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Aortic dissection risk.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What increases the risk of aortic dissection?
Risk factors include high blood pressure (the most significant modifiable factor), smoking, certain genetic connective tissue conditions like Marfan syndrome, a bicuspid aortic valve, and family history of aortic disease.
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What is aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection is a serious, life-threatening condition where a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta's wall, allowing blood to flow between the layers and potentially block blood flow to vital organs.
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Can aortic dissection risk be reduced?
Yes, controlling blood pressure effectively, not smoking, and for those with known genetic risk factors, regular specialist monitoring and sometimes preventive medication or surgery can significantly reduce risk.
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Is high blood pressure the main risk factor for aortic dissection?
Yes, poorly controlled high blood pressure is the single most important modifiable risk factor, placing repeated additional stress on the aortic wall over time.
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How is someone with high aortic dissection risk monitored?
Monitoring typically includes regular blood pressure checks, periodic imaging (such as echocardiography or CT/MRI) to assess aortic size, particularly for those with known genetic conditions or a family history.
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Can genetic testing help assess aortic dissection risk?
Yes, for those with a family history or features suggestive of a connective tissue disorder like Marfan syndrome, genetic testing can help identify specific risk and guide monitoring and preventive treatment decisions.
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High-risk vs low-risk for aortic dissection — what's the difference?
Someone with well-controlled blood pressure and no genetic risk factors has a relatively low baseline risk, while someone with poorly controlled hypertension, a known genetic connective tissue disorder, or a strong family history is at significantly higher risk and needs closer monitoring.
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Does exercise increase aortic dissection risk?
Very intense straining exercise can transiently raise blood pressure significantly, which may be relevant for those already at higher risk (such as with a known enlarged aorta), so specific exercise advice is often given by specialists in these cases.
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Should family members of someone with aortic dissection be screened?
Yes, particularly if a genetic connective tissue condition is suspected or confirmed, first-degree relatives are often recommended to have screening imaging to check their own aortic size.
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When should I discuss aortic dissection risk, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
Discuss this with a doctor if you have relevant risk factors or family history. NHS cardiology referral can take several weeks, while private specialist assessment, including imaging, is often available within about one to two weeks.