An abdominal aortic aneurysm happens when the wall of the aorta in your belly weakens and stretches wider than normal, most often because of smoking, high blood pressure, and plaque buildup in the artery.
The aorta is built from elastic layers that flex with every heartbeat, and anything that damages or stiffens those layers lets pressure push the wall outward over time. Smoking is the single strongest contributor, followed by long-standing high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Genetics matter too, so having a parent, brother, or sister with an aneurysm raises your own chance, as do inherited connective tissue conditions such as Marfan syndrome. Most aneurysms grow slowly and cause no symptoms at all, which is why a one-time ultrasound is recommended for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Quitting smoking, treating blood pressure, and keeping cholesterol controlled are the changes that slow growth the most.
Who should get screened
Common questions
Why does Abdominal aortic aneurysm happen?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm forms when the wall of the aorta in your abdomen weakens and stretches outward. Smoking is the strongest driver because it damages the elastic layers of the artery wall. High blood pressure keeps pushing against that weakened spot, and atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaque, stiffens and thins the wall further. Being older than 65, being male, and having a parent or sibling with an aneurysm all raise your chance, as do inherited connective tissue conditions. Injury and infection cause a small number of cases. Most aneurysms grow slowly with no symptoms, so screening ultrasound is usually how they are found.