A person with Marfan syndrome has an inherited illness that results in abnormal connective tissue. This tissue holds the body together and provides support to many organs. Marfan syndrome affects the heart, blood vessels, bones, tendons, cartilage, eyes, nervous system and lungs.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disease with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

Physical changes in someone with Marfan syndrome include:

• Long limbs
• Eye abnormalities
• Abnormally flexible joints
• Dilation of the aorta
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Pneumothorax

There is not cure for Marfan syndrome. Severe dilation of the aorta may result in a dissecting thoracic aneurysm, which is a life-threatening event. The life expectancy for Marfan syndrome is 70 years.