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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Causes
Causes of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
An abdominal aortic aneurysm may be caused by multiple factors that result in the breaking down of the well-organized proteins of the aortic wall that provide support and stabilize the wall. The exact cause is not fully known.
Atherosclerorsis and AAA
Atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque, which is a deposit of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin in the inner lining of an artery) may also be a cause of abdominal aortuc aneurysms.
Both atherosclerosis and AAA may share the same risk factors including:
- Age (greater than 60)
- Male (occurrence in males is four to five times greater than that of females)
- Family history (first degree relatives such as father or brother)
- Genetic factors
- Hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Smoking
- Diabetes
Related conditions that may cause AAA
- Genetic disorders of connective tissue: Abnormalities that can affect tissues such as bones, cartilage, heart, and blood vessels, such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and polycystic kidney disease
- Congenital syndromes: Bicuspid aortic valve or coarctation of the aorta
- Giant cell arteritis: Inflammation of the temporal arteries and other arteries in the head and neck, causing the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow in the affected areas; may cause persistent headaches and vision loss
- Trauma or previous surgery
- Infectious aortitis (infections of the aorta): Due to infections such as syphilis, salmonella, or staphylococcus. These infectious conditions are rare.
Condition Spotlight
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.