Ask a doctor - What causes abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA is essentially an abnormal bulge or dilation that develops in the part of the aorta which is the largest artery located in your abdomen This affects about 5 of people over 65 years old and it 39 s much more common among men than women The exact cause of AAA can be difficult to pinpoint but there are some factors that increase your risk for developing this condition These include increasing age high blood pressure smoking atherosclerosis hardening of arteries caused by plaque build up heredity certain medical conditions like lupus or diabetes and heavy alcohol use AAA can also be caused by trauma to the abdomen like what occurs during surgeries such as organ transplantation and open heart surgery however this type of AAA rarely becomes symptomatic or requires treatment Studies have suggested that lifestyle choices play a role in increasing one s risk for AAA as well particularly smoking tobacco products and having poor cardiovascular health due to obesity or lack of physical activity Being overweight increases both abdominal fat around internal organs as well as a person 39 s blood pressure levels both elements add tension to the walls of your vessels leading to weaken them over time- thus putting you at greater risk for developing an aneurysm Additionally research has also shown that individuals with inflammatory diseases such as Crohn 39 s ulcerative colitis may be more prone to developing AAAs since inflammation increases arterial pressure indirectly causing stress on its walls overtime leading them weak enough where they eventually bloom into aneurysms Also those who are taking medications containing calcium blockers for hypertension may draw higher risks for AAAs due to their ability loosen arterial walls making them less stable It is important everyone knows possible causes behind AAA because early detection through ultrasound tests will allow doctors treating it before it becomes life threatening - so make sure you talk with your doctor if you ever experience any symptoms listed here pain in lower back or flank area accompanied by weakness numbness on leg s sudden severe pain in lower back pulsating feeling near navel rapid heart rate etc Don 39 t let time pass by without going through proper screening tests

Q. What causes abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is essentially an abnormal bulge or dilation that develops in the part of the aorta, which is the largest artery located in your abdomen. This affects about 5% of people over 65 years old, and it's much more common among men than women.

The exact cause of AAA can be difficult to pinpoint but there are some factors that increase your risk for developing this condition. These include increasing age, high blood pressure, smoking, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries caused by plaque build up), heredity, certain medical conditions like lupus or diabetes and heavy alcohol use.

AAA can also be caused by trauma to the abdomen like what occurs during surgeries such as organ transplantation and open heart surgery; however this type of AAA rarely becomes symptomatic or requires treatment.

Studies have suggested that lifestyle choices play a role in increasing one’s risk for AAA as well – particularly smoking tobacco products and having poor cardiovascular health due to obesity or lack of physical activity. Being overweight increases both abdominal fat around internal organs as well as a person's blood pressure levels; both elements add tension to the walls of your vessels leading to weaken them over time- thus putting you at greater risk for developing an aneurysm. Additionally research has also shown that individuals with inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's/ulcerative colitis may be more prone to developing AAAs since inflammation increases arterial pressure indirectly causing stress on its walls overtime leading them weak enough where they eventually bloom into aneurysms . Also those who are taking medications containing calcium blockers for hypertension may draw higher risks for AAAs due to their ability loosen arterial walls making them less stable .

It is important everyone knows possible causes behind AAA because early detection through ultrasound tests will allow doctors treating it before it becomes life threatening - so make sure you talk with your doctor if you ever experience any symptoms listed here: pain in lower back or flank area accompanied by weakness/numbness on leg(s); sudden severe pain in lower back; pulsating feeling near navel ; rapid heart rate ; etc.. Don't let time pass by without going through proper screening tests!

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