What causes abdominal aortic aneurysms?
No one knows exactly what causes them. It was once thought that hardening of the arteries was involved, but that is not the case now. It seems that genetics, smoking and abnormal enzymes may erode the aortic wall, causing it to weaken and bulge. Q: Who is most at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm? A: Men, smokers, anyone 65 and older and anyone with a family history among their first degree relatives – that’s mom, dad, brother or sister. People most at risk should ask their doctors for an ultrasound test. They generally cost about $100. Aneurysms can also be detected without an ultrasound, provided that the patient is reasonably thin. Q: Do children ever get abdominal aortic aneurysms? A: It almost never happens in young people or children. There are some inflammatory diseases as well as traumatic injuries that could cause it, but it’s rare. Q: How are abdominal aortic aneurysms treated? A: It depends on their size to some degree. An aneurysm whose diameter is less than 4 centimeters,
