Who is at risk for Raynaud's?

The risk factors for primary Raynaud's (Raynaud's disease) and secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's phenomenon) are different.

The risk factors for primary Raynaud's include:

• Gender: About 80 percent of people who have primary Raynaud's are women
• Age: Primary Raynaud's usually develops before the age of 30
• Family history: Primary Raynaud's may occur in members of the same family
• Living in a cold climate: Cold temperatures can trigger Raynaud's attacks

The risk factors for secondary Raynaud's include:

• Age: Secondary Raynaud's usually develops after the age of 30
• Certain diseases and conditions: For examples, diseases that directly damage the arteries or damage the nerves that control the arteries in the hands and feet may cause secondary Raynaud's.
• Injuries to the hands or feet
• Exposure to certain workplace chemicals, such as vinyl chloride (used in the plastics industry)
• Repetitive actions with the hands, such as typing or using vibrating tools
• Certain medicines, such as migraine, cancer, cold/allergy, or blood pressure medicines
• Smoking
• Living in a cold climate

This answer from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf.