Causes and evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm - Aortic aneurysms are common in abdominal region. Sometimes they could occur in upper aorta region leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms, though less common. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is hereditary.
Causes and Evaluation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
New York (USA), June 16, 2013
Causes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Smoking
This is the most predominant cause. More than ninety percent of people with abdominal aortic aneurysm have smoked sometime in their lives. Tobacco builds up fatty plaques in your arteries. These restrict free flow of blood thereby increasing blood pressure levels. Further, smoking boosts a growing aneurysm leading to accelerated damage to aorta and other arteries.
Arteriosclerosis
This is hardening of arteries and the primary cause for abdominal aortic aneurysm. More than eighty percent of abdominal aortic aneurysm cases occur due to arteriosclerosis. Aortic wall has three layers – tunica adventitia, tunica media, and tunica intima. These layers strengthen and keep walls sufficiently elastic to manage blood pressure changes. However, prolonged high blood pressure breaks down tunica media and hardens aortic walls. Elasticity of aortic walls slowly diminishes. It eventually progresses towards abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Genetic Factors
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is hereditary. Chances of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm are high if a first-degree male relative has AAA. In such cases, abdominal aortic aneurysm presents at a young age itself and aorta rupture chances are extremely high. Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are connective tissue diseases occurring due to genetic factors. If connective tissues in aortic wall layers develop such diseases, aorta weakens and becomes more susceptible to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Relapsing polychondritis and pseudoxanthoma elasticum also lead to abdominal aortic aneurysm.
High Blood Pressure
Blood constantly flowing at high pressure through arteries definitely weaken them. This leads to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Uncontrolled blood pressure escalates the situation.
Vasculitis
This is inflammation or infection of aortic wall. In very rare cases, vasculitis can lead to abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Post-Trauma
Sudden traumatic occurrences injure aortic walls leading to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Sometimes these incidents weaken your aorta and over time, lead to abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Infections
Fungal infections developing due to syphilis, immunodeficiency, heart valve surgery, and IV drug abuse inflame blood vessels eventually causing abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Other causes include male gender, obesity, high cholesterol, stress, and erratic lifestyle.
Evaluation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic aneurysms are most common in abdominal region. Sometimes they could occur in upper aorta region leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms, although these are less common.
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