risk factors
Last reviewed 05/2022
Risk factors of AAA are similar to other cardiovascular diseases. Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been identified (1)
- age
- a study of 4345 subjects reported that people aged 25-54 were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with an AAA than those aged over 75
- the incidence of aneurysms increases significantly with each decade in
- men starting at 50 years
- in women at 60 to 70 years
- familial risk
- a positive family history is associated with an increased risk of AAA
- risk is four times as high among people with a family history of the disorder as among those without a family history
- sex
- women are less likely to develop an AAA than in age matched men.
- risk is four times as high among men as among women
- smoking
- most important modifiable risk factor
- aneurismal dilations are seven times more likely in smokers than in non smokers
- is also associated with increased growth and rupture rate of AAA (1,2)
Other less prominent risk factors are:
- hypertension
- ethnicity
- more prevalent amongst white population than among blacks, Asians and Hispanics
- an elevated cholesterol
- obesity
- pre-existing atherosclerotic occlusive disease (1,2)
Reduced risk of AAA is associated with the following:
- lifestyle factors - regular exercise, healthy diet (adequate intake of fruits, vegetables and nuts)
- diabetes mellitus (1,2)
Reference: