Your Vascular System --> Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm--> Causes

Many Factors Can Lead to an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The reason why an abdominal aortic Aneurysm forms is not completely known. What is known is that several factors can lead to its likelihood.

Medical researchers believe that atherosclerosis -– a condition of plaque build-up in the arteries –- contributes to the creation of an Aneurysm. The accumulation of plaque’s fatty substances in the arteries causes them to harden, narrow and be more susceptible to rupturing.

Other risk factors for an Aneurysm include being over 60, and gender, with men being four to five times more likely than women to have an Aneurysm.

Other risk factors include: family history, genetics, elevated fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia), high blood pressure (hypertension) and smoking.

Some conditions or diseases may also lead to an abdominal Aneurysm.

For example, trauma could be a factor. Also, congenital artery syndromes, such as coarctation of the aorta or bicuspid aortic valve can lead to an Aneurysm. Other causes are:

• Artery diseases such as giant cell arteritis
• Genetic disorders of connective tissues
• An infection of the aorta, as a result of another primary infection in the body