Causes and Diagnoses

Causes and Diagnoses of Thoracic Aortic Disease

The most common thoracic aortic disease is an aneurysm. A weakness can develop anywhere in the aorta causing a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Thoracic aortic aneurysms involve weaknesses in both the abdomen and chest.

The causes include both congenital and lifestyle conditions, such as:

• Family history and genetic factors
• Abnormal aortic valve
• Connective tissue disease
• Atherosclerosis (narrowing of an artery due to the buildup of fatty plaque)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)