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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThoracic aortic aneurysm risk factors include:
- Age. Thoracic 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 aortic aneurysm. The longer you've smoked or chewed tobacco, the greater your risk.
- High blood pressure. Increased blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the body, raising your chances of developing an aneurysm.
- Buildup of plaques in your arteries (atherosclerosis). The buildup of fat and other substances that can damage the lining of a blood vessel (atherosclerosis) increases your risk of an aneurysm.
- Family history. People who have a family history of aortic aneurysm are at increased risk of having one. People who have a family history of aneurysms tend to develop aneurysms at a younger age and are at higher risk of rupture.
- Connective tissue disorders. If you have a connective tissue disorder, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, you have a significantly higher risk of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
References
- Aneurysm. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/arm/printall-index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Hiratzka LF, et al. 2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic aortic disease: Executive summary. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010;55:27. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/121/13/1544.full.pdf. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Aortic aneurysms. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. http://www.sts.org/patient-information/aneurysm-surgery/aortic-aneurysms. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Aortic aneurysms. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/cardiovascular_disorders/diseases_of_the_aorta_and_its_branches/aortic_aneurysms.html. Accessed Feb. 16, 2013.
- Papadakis MA, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2013. 52nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2013. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=1. Accessed Feb. 16, 2013.
- Marfan syndrome. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/mar/printall-index.html. Accessed Feb. 16, 2013.
- What is EDS? Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation. http://www.ednf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2202&Itemid=88889278. Accessed Feb. 16, 2013.
- Booher AM, et al. Diagnosis and management issues in thoracic aortic aneurysm. American Heart Journal. 2011;162:38.
- Jondeau G, et al. Genetics of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Current Atherosclerosis Report. 2012;14:219.
- Shah AA, et al. Results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair 6 years after United States Food and Drug Administration approval. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2012;94:1394.
- U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013: Top-ranked hospitals for cardiology & heart surgery. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery. Accessed Feb. 16, 2013.
- Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 18, 2013.
- Bowen JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 26, 2013.
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