Who Gets Coarctation of the Aorta?
Anyone can be born with coarctation of the aorta, but it is more common in males than females. Patients with abnormal aortic valves are more likely to have coarctation of the aorta. The normal aortic valve has three leaflets, but some valves have two leaflets and are called bicuspid valves. About 5% of patients with bicuspid valves have coarctation of the aorta but about 50% of patients with coarctation of the aorta have bicuspid valves. Patients with certain chromosomal abnormalities are more likely to have coarctation of the aorta. Women with Turner syndrome are more likely to have coarctation of the aorta.
