Know the Causes and risk that is associated with aortic aneurysm
The main blood vessel in your body is referred as an aorta that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs. When the aorta becomes weak, it becomes swollen or bulges out to form a small balloon-like structure. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) when it appears in the abdominal part of the aorta.
A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can be life-threatening as it is the main part of your body that supplies blood. The size of an aneurysm varies from person to person, depending on which the suitable treatment is selected.
Aortic Aneurysm Causes
The exact cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is unknown. There are several factors that can play a role leading to the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Tobacco use
Excessive use of tobacco can increase the risk of an aortic aneurysm. Smoking can cause damage to the aorta thereby weakening the aortic wall. The weak aorta wall can lead to the formation of balloon-like structures resulting in an aneurysm.
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Atherosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries is seen during atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis mainly occurs when the fat and other substance build up in the lining of the blood vessels. The accumulation of these substances may increase the risk of an aneurysm.
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High blood pressure
High blood pressure generally weakens your aorta wall that eventually increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Blood vessel diseases of the aorta
An aortic aneurysm can also be caused due to certain diseases that cause your blood vessels to be inflamed. Blood vessels diseases generally weaken your aortic wall and increase the risk of an aneurysm in most of the cases.
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Infection in the aorta
Infections like bacterial or fungal infection may also be the cause of an aortic aneurysm in few cases.
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Trauma
Traumatic cases such as accidents can also cause abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Heredity
In very rare cases, aortic aneurysm could be hereditary.
Aortic aneurysm risks
The common factor that increases the risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm includes the following:
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Age
Old age people are generally at high risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. People at 65 or older age are more likely to suffer from an abdominal aortic aneurysm when compared to young people.
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Tobacco use
Tobacco is one of the common and major risk factors that increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Excessive use of tobacco can cause rupture of your aneurysm that may be life threatening.
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Gender
Men generally are at high risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm when compared to women.
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Ethnicity
White people are more likely to suffer from an abdominal aortic aneurysm when compared to black people.
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Family history
People with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm are generally at high risk of an aneurysm.
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Atherosclerosis
Accumulation of fat and other substances can cause hardening of your arteries. This condition is also referred to as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis generally increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Other aneurysms
When you have an aneurysm in another large blood vessel like artery behind your knee or the thoracic aorta in the chest, you are at high risk of AAA.
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High blood pressure
High blood pressure generally increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm due to the weakness in the aorta wall.
When you or your loved ones are diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is better to get it treated to avoid complications. Abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment in Hyderabad is possible at affordable rates. Dr Abhilash Sandhyala is the best endovascular surgeon who can perform aortic aneurysm surgery in Hyderabad.