Final answer:
Patients with Marfan syndrome have an increased risk of cardiac conditions such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and mitral valve prolapse. They also face higher risks for cardiovascular diseases influenced by underlying factors like hypertension and atherosclerosis, potentially leading to myocardial infarction or stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with Marfan syndrome are at a higher risk of various cardiac conditions due to the genetic abnormality affecting the quality of fibrillin, an important protein that contributes to the structural integrity of connective tissue. Patients are particularly predisposed to cardiovascular complications such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and mitral valve prolapse. Similarly, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a related condition, significantly increases the risk of vascular deterioration, leading to similar cardiac concerns.
Moreover, common factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and angina—such as hypertension and atherosclerosis—are also concerns in patients with Marfan syndrome. It is important to note that while these patients may face an increased risk of myocardial infarction and strokes, these events are distinctly different from cardiac arrest. Having Marfan syndrome does not necessarily predispose one to cardiac arrest, but rather to the conditions that may trigger it, like a heart attack.