Aortic dissection may present with sudden and severe chest or back pain. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, fainting, sweating, and irregular heartbeat may also occur. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings, imaging tests (e.g., CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging), and blood tests.

The primary cause of aortic dissection is usually a weakness of the aortic wall. This weakness can be caused by factors such as hypertension, aortic aneurysm, genetic disorders, or trauma.