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. (For more information, see "What Causes 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.