abdominal aortic aneurysm how fast do they expand
Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors include: 1  Age. Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur most often in people age 65 and older.  Tobacco use. Tobacco use is a strong risk factor for the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a higher risk of rupture. Because the section with the aneurysm is overstretched and weak, it can burst. If the aorta bursts, it can cause serious bleeding that can quickly lead to death. Aneurysms can form in any section of the aorta, but they are most common in the belly area (abdominal aortic aneurysm ). They can also happen in the upper body (thoracic aortic aneurysm ). Thoracic aortic aneurysms are also known as ascending or descending aortic aneurysms. 1 High blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase your risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms as it can damage and weaken the aorta's walls.  Blood vessel diseases in the aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be caused by diseases that cause blood vessels to become inflamed. Most small or slow-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms do not rupture. However, large or fast-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms may. Depending on the size and rate at which the aneurysm is growing, treatment may vary from watchful waiting to emergency surgery. More recently there is new technology being implemented. Approximately 70 to 75% of abdominal aortic aneurysm are asymptomatic when first detected. Average growth of a small aneurysm is around 0.25 cm in diameter per year. One other study lists the growth rate at 0.32 cm per year when it is under 5 cm. 1 Other aneurysms. People who have an aneurysm in another large blood vessel, such as the artery behind the knee or the thoracic aorta in the chest, may have a higher risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  High blood pressure. 1 People who have an aneurysm in another large blood vessel, such as the artery behind the knee or the thoracic aorta in the chest, may have a higher risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  High blood pressure. High blood pressure may increase your risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An aortic aneurysm is enlargement (dilation) of the aorta to greater than 1.5 times normal size. They usually cause no symptoms except when ruptured. Occasionally there may be abdominal, back or leg pain. They are most commonly located in the abdominal aorta, but can also be located in the thoracic aorta. Aortic aneurysms cause weakness in the wall of the aorta and increase the risk of aortic rupture. When rupture occurs, massive internal bleeding results and, unless treated immediately, shock and death can occur. An aortic aneurysm can also lead to other problems. Blood flow often slows in the bulging section of an aortic aneurysm, causing clots to form. If a blood clot breaks off from an aortic aneurysm in the chest area, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. 1 Tobacco use is a strong risk factor for the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a higher risk of rupture. The longer you've smoked or chewed tobacco and the more cigarettes you smoked per day, the greater your risk.  Being male. Men develop abdominal aortic aneurysms much more often than women do.
Large or fast-growing abdominal aortic aneurysms may. Depending on the size and rate at which the aneurysm is growing, treatment may vary from watchful waiting to emergency surgery.