Aortic Aneurysm - Risk Factors - Risk Factors

Your risk for aortic aneurysms goes up as you age. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in adults after age 65.

Several familial or Genetic conditions increase your risk for a thoracic aortic aneurysm. These include:

• Ehlers–Danlos syndrome
• Loeys–Dietz syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• Turner syndrome
• Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms
• Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which is an abnormal aortic valve

Abdominal aortic aneurysms also run in families. One in 10 people with abdominal aortic aneurysms have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The chance of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm is 1 in 5 for people who have a first degree relative with the condition, which means a parent, brother, sister, or child was affected.

Some lifestyle habits increase your risk of having an aortic aneurysm. These include:

• Cigarette smoking, which increases your risk for an aortic aneurysm, especially an abdominal aortic aneurysm. If you are a current smoker, an abdominal aortic aneurysm may grow more quickly and be more likely to rupture.
• Using stimulants such as cocaine
• Weight lifting

Medical conditions that are risk factors for aortic aneurysms include:

• Aneurysms of blood vessels in other parts of your body
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cardiovascular conditions, such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral artery disease
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure, the leading risk factor for thoracic aortic aneurysms but also a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Infection, a risk factor for thoracic aortic aneurysms. Such a case is known as an infective thoracic aortic aneurysm and is usually caused by bacteria.
• Kidney conditions, such as chronic renal insufficiency, chronic kidney disease, and polycystic kidney disease
• Obesity
• Pheochromocytoma, a rare tumors of the adrenal gland that can lead to high blood pressure
• Trauma, such as from car accidents or falls, a risk factor for thoracic aortic aneurysms
• Vasculitis

Men are more likely than women to develop aortic aneurysms. However, an existing aneurysm is more likely to rupture at a smaller size in women than in men.