what could lead to an aortic aneurysm?

Question

Do aortic aneurysms cause or lead to heart attacks?

Answer 1

Aortic Aneurysms: It is not entirely clear exactly what causes aortic aneurysms, but we know of a few risk factors, probably the most significant of which is smoking. Other risk factors include atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. There is also a hereditary component, so these can run in families. There are also genetic syndromes such as Marfan's or ehlers-danlos which are associated. See a vascular surgeon.

Answer 2

Unclear: Atherosclerosis syphilis hypertension congenital and familial syndromes and collagen diseases marfan, ehlers danlos all these entities are associated and there are theories of genetic flaws or ischemia of the wall etc.

Answer 3

Yes: Smoking can cause the atherosclerosis or accelerate it and its also known to cause aortic aneurysm.

Answer 4

Arteriosclerosis: Cigarrette smoking accelerates the process of arteriosclerosis which in turn results in atheroma formation with its multiple consequences depending on location.In the aorta it results in cystic medial necrosis leading to aneurysmal dilatation or the opposite, arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Answer 5

Yes.: Physicians and researchers are not quite sure what actually causes an AAA to form in some people. The leading thought is that the aneurysm may be caused by inflammation in the aorta, which may cause its wall to weaken. While smoking alone may not be the only cause (a matter of debate and research), smoking has been proven repeatedly to increase the rate at which small aaa's grow and increase risk.

Answer 6

No but its not rare: Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common than thoracic . An aneurysm is defined as an enlargement of the aorta 1.5 x the normal diameter. The incidence is around 37 per 100, 000 patient yrs. There is a 3% prevalence in those over 50 yrs old. Male to female ratio of 9 to 1. Risk factors hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, family history and age.

Answer 7

Yes: Any blood vessel can dilate and become large enough to be called an aneurysm. Abdominal, infra renal are the most common. 5.5 -6 cm. Is a common size to intervene with an endograft or surgical, based on known natural history. The ascending and descending aorta can also be aneurysmal.

Answer 8

Heavy lifting: We tell people with aortic aneurysms to avoid activities that will increase intraabdominal pressure. This would include lifting anything so heavy it makes you grunt, doing sit-ups or crunches, or forceful straining on the toilet.

Answer 9

All or none: Anything that causes a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure is bad. But, what kind of life will you have that will prevent you from physical, mental and emotional influences? Even, while resting or sleeping, aneurysm can break. Since no one knows when rupture will occur, repair of aneurysm is indicated depending upon size and location. Please see a vascular surgeon.

Answer 10

Recommendations: Recommendations vary based on location & severity....Discuss with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon.

Answer 11

Several things: About 5% of men over the age of 65 have abdominal aortic aneurysms. Risk factors include: increasing age, male sex, family history of aneurysm (may increase your risk 4-fold), hypertension, and history of smoking. Dissecting aneurysms can be caused by localized damage to to the artery from hypertension or trauma (deceleration or sheering-type injury) or catheter injury from an angiogram.

Answer 12

Many: "causes" are associated problems that are thought to be the reasons. Remember, though, that association is not necessarily causation. That said, more important is what to do about presence of aneurysm. Since there is weakness in the "pipe", this needs to be evaluated whether treatment is necessary, urgent or elective, or not at all. Seeing a vascular surgeon for an opinion is needed.

Answer 13

Many: Many causes such as high cholesterol, smoking, uncontrolled BP and certain genetic causes as well as sudden deceleration injuries.

Answer 14

Multiple factors: Smoking and certain genetic factors contribute to the development of aortic aneurysm. Maintaining a normal cholesterol and lipid profile can help reduce your risk too.

Answer 15

Known risk factors: Certain aneurysms are caused by genetic predispositions that is caused by such conditions as marfan's syndrome. Otherwise the usual cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking.

Answer 16

Congenital or acquir: There is a 10% family inheritance if you have a first degree relative with an aneurysm. There is a strong disposition between smoking and hypertension as well..

Answer 17

Cysticmedialnecrosis: The aorta is a living organ. Has 3 layers. Intima, media, adventitia. The aortic wall is nourished by the vasa vasorum. Arteriosclerosis creates cholesterol plaque, the vasa vasorum occlude, the media slowly dies and becomes replaced by collagenous tissue, pressure and Collagenase activity weaken wall and it dilates excessively, if not repaired claims 17, 000 americans/yr.70%infrarenal.

Answer 18

Unknown : There are factors thought to be associated with the development of an aortic aneurysm such as genetic problems with an enzyme called elastase, other types of collagen disorders, and possibly hypertension. It is difficult, if not impossible, to detect the specific cause for most individual patients.

Answer 19

Large aorta: An aortic aneurysm is an aorta which is larger than it should be. This is typically due weakness of the walls of the aorta. This weakness can be secondary to degenerative change, congenital (born with it) abnormalities of the wall of the aorta, or trauma.

Answer 20

Weak wall: The aorta is a living pipe. It has 3 layers, the inner layer or intima, the middle layer or media were some muscle like cells dwell and the adventitia rich in collagen fibers. The process of arteriosclerosis may result in slow death of the media which then gets replaced by collagen scar. The pressure inside the aorta and the wall weakness will result in dilatation of the aorta and it could burst.

Answer 21

The aorta: The aorta is the large, main artery that carries blood from the heart. An aneurysm (a portion that dilates or expands to a larger than normal diameter) can occur anywhere along its length, from where it emerges from the heart in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) to where it travels through the abdomen & splits into the iliac arteries (abdominal aortic aneurysm, or aaa) - or anywhere between.

Answer 22

Follows the aorta: The aorta starts at the heart (in the chest) extends to the neck, comes down the chest, into the abdomen and divides at the level of the belly button. Most aortic aneurysms are located in the abdomen.

what could lead to an aortic aneurysm?

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