Risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Most aortic aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which deposits called plaque build up in the arteries, decreasing blood flow.

Although atherosclerosis may occur at any age, it is more common in people over age 45 and people with a family history of heart disease. These are risk factors you can’t control. Risk factors you can control include:

• smoking

• high blood cholesterol

• high blood pressure 

• diabetes

• obesity

• physical inactivity

Aneurysms also may occur because of an inherited disease, such as Marfan syndrome.

Fact sheet about AAA (pdf)