- heritable connective tissue disorder ie Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan's, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, osteogenesis imperfecta
- family history of arterial dissection
- history of minor precipitating trauma ie yoga, painting a ceiling, coughing, vomiting, sneezing, chiropractic manipulation of the neck
Schievink, W. MD. "Spontaneous Dissection of the Carotid and Vertebral Arteries." NEJM. 22 March 2001.