In this Article

• What is an aneurysm?
• What is an aortic aneurysm?
• What are the thoracic and abdominal aorta?
• Where do aortic aneurysms tend to develop?
• What shape are most aortic aneurysms?
• What's inside an aortic aneurysm?
• Who is most likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• What are risk factors of aortic aneurysms?
• What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysms?
• What are other causes of aortic aneurysms?
• What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnosed clinically?
• What tests help in the diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• What is the natural history of abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• What are the complications with an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• How are abdominal aortic aneurysms repaired?
• What is done if an abdominal aortic aneurysm threatens to rupture?
• What is the medical management (non-surgical management) of abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - Describe Your Experience
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Glossary
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Index

Who is most likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Aortic aneurysms are most common after 60 years of age. Males are five times more likely than females to be affected. Approximately 5% of men over age 60 develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

What are risk factors for aortic aneurysms?

Risk factors for aortic aneurysm include:

• Cigarette smoking: cigarette smoking not only increases the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the chance of aneurysm rupture (a life-threatening complication of abdominal aneurysm) is also more common among active smokers.
  
  
• High blood pressure
  
  
• High serum cholesterol
  
  
• Diabetes mellitus

What is the most common cause of aortic aneurysms?

The most common cause of aortic aneurysms is "hardening of the arteries" called arteriosclerosis. At least 80% of aortic aneurysms are from arteriosclerosis. The arteriosclerosis can weaken the aortic wall and the pressure of the blood being pumped through the aorta causes expansion at the site of weakness.

What are other causes of aortic aneurysms?

Other causes of aortic aneurysms include:

• Genetic/hereditary: There is a familial tendency to developing abdominal aortic aneurysms. Individuals with first-degree relatives having abdominal aortic aneurysms have a higher risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm than the general population. They also tend to develop the aneurysms at younger ages and have a higher tendency to suffer aneurysm rupture than individuals without family history.
  
  
• Genetic disease: There are also rare inheritable genetic diseases of connective tissue (tissue that make up the wall of the aorta) such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan's syndrome that can lead to the development of aortic aneurysms.
  
  
• Post-trauma: After physical trauma to the aorta.
  
  
• Arteritis: Inflammation of blood vessels as occurs in Takayasu disease, giant cell arteritis, and relapsing polychondritis.
  
  
• Mycotic (fungal) infection: A mycotic infection that may be associated with immunodeficiency, IV drug abuse, syphilis, and heart valve surgery.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 22 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Beta Blockers - Learn more about Beta Blockers, a drug that treats angina and other heart rhythm disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, and tremors. Generic and brand names are included in the article.
• CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
• Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.

Read more Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Less Invasive Surgery Repairs Aortic Aneurysm
• Despite More Tests, Some Aren't Getting Results
• Fewer Dying Now From Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms