Stretch marks are pink, red or white streaks in the skin. Your heart and blood vessels will be examined for the symptoms of the syndrome.įind out more about diagnosing Marfan syndrome Stretch marks If your GP thinks you may have Marfan syndrome, you'll be referred to a specialist for testing. The aortic valve may also leak, leading to the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) gradually becoming enlarged. In some people with Marfan syndrome, the mitral or tricuspid valves do not close properly and blood leaks back through the valve.įind out more about common mitral valve problems
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These valves act as one-way gates, allowing blood to flow through in one direction. To control the flow of blood through your heart's chambers, your heart has 4 valves: Your heart has 4 chambers that pump blood to and from the rest of the body. In severe cases, the aorta can split (rupture), causing potentially fatal internal bleeding. This can sometimes cause the aorta to enlarge and balloon, which is known as an aortic aneurysm. In people with Marfan syndrome, the walls of the aorta are weak. It runs from your heart, down the centre of your chest and through your abdomen. The aorta is the main artery in the body. It's particularly serious if your aorta and heart valves are affected. Marfan syndrome can affect the cardiovascular system, which is made up of your heart and blood vessels. retinal detachment – where the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of your eye (retina) begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients.cataracts – where cloudy patches develop in the eye's lens, causing blurred or misty vision.glaucoma – increased pressure in the eyeball which, left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss.Other possible eye-related symptoms of Marfan syndrome include: This is where the eye's lens, the transparent structure that sits behind the pupil and focuses light, falls into an abnormal position. Lens dislocation affects half of all people with the syndrome. Many people with Marfan syndrome have some type of vision problem.
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People with Marfan syndrome are at particular risk of developing dural ectasia.Īs the membrane expands, it can press on the vertebrae in your lower back, which can cause: The dura is the membrane that lines your brain and spinal cord.ĭural ectasia is a condition where the dura becomes weakened and expands outwards. This usually occurs in the lower spine, and can cause back pain and stiffness.Īnyone can develop spondylolisthesis, but it more commonly affects people with Marfan syndrome. Spondylolisthesis is where one of the bones in your spine (a vertebra) slips forward over another vertebra. In severe cases, it can also make breathing difficult as the spine may press against the heart and lungs. This is known as scoliosis.Ĭurvature of the spine can cause long-term backache. Marfan syndrome can cause the spine to become abnormally curved to the sides.
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The symptoms of Marfan syndrome tend to get more severe as a person gets older. Some people experience a few mild symptoms, whereas others experience more severe symptoms.
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The severity of the symptoms varies widely. Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of the body, including the skeleton, eyes, and heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system).