Who is affected by abdominal aortic aneurysm

Since 1970, the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has tripled. This is primarily due to the detection of more AAAs in tests, which can now detect smaller AAAs. Small aneurysms (less than 5 cm in diameter) now account for 50% of recognized AAAs.¹

Other facts on the incidence of AAA include the following:²

• In the general population, the incidence of AAA in those 50 years of age and older is at least 3%.
• The incidence of AAA rises rapidly after 55 years of age in men and 70 years of age in women.
• AAAs occur 4 to 5 times more frequently in men than in women.
• The presence of one AAA may be a marker for others. Overall, up to 13% of all people with an AAA have more than one, and up to 25% to 28% of those with thoracic aortic aneurysms have an AAA.

Citations

1. Hallett, JW Jr (2000). Management of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 75(4): 395–399.

2. Isselbacher EM (2004). Abdominal aortic aneurysms section of Diseases of the aorta. In DP Zipes, ed., Braunwald's Heart Disease, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1404–1415. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Author:	Colleen Cronin	Last Updated March 13, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery
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