An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a potentially dangerous bulging or ballooning of the aorta, the main artery supplying blood to the body. The causes of the condition are not fully understood, but doctors have identified a number of risk factors.

Facts

According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysms occur when the pressure of blood flowing through the weakened abdominal section of the aorta forces it to expand beyond its normal one-inch diameter. If it ruptures, an aneurysm can trigger heavy bleeding, with potentially fatal consequences.

Causes

Doctors do not know the exact reasons for the weakening of the abdominal aorta, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The Society for Vascular Surgery cites inflammation of the aorta as a main candidate for the underlying cause.

Known Risk Factors

Known risk factors for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm include high blood pressure, smoking, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), obesity, emphysema, infection, birth defects and genetic predisposition.

Highest-Risk Group

The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that abdominal aortic aneurysms most typically affect men over 60 with one or several known risk factors.

Considerations

Abdominal aortic aneurysms may develop gradually over an extended period of time. Frequently, they do not cause any obvious outward symptoms.

Source:

Society for Vascular Surgery: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

U.S. National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Cleveland Clinic: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

More Information:

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm