What causes the aorta wall to become weakened which then increases risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta is made up of three layers: the intima, the media, and the adventitia. The intima is the innermost layer, the media is the middle layer, and the adventitia is the outermost layer.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta. It can occur anywhere along the aorta, but it is most common in the abdominal aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are more common in men than in women, and they are more common in older people.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of an AAA, including:

* Age: The risk of AAA increases with age.

* Gender: Men are more likely to develop an AAA than women.

* Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for AAA.

* High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the aorta and increase the risk of AAA.

* Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible, which can increase the risk of AAA.

* Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of AAA.

* Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease can increase the risk of AAA.

* Family history of AAA: Having a family history of AAA increases the risk of developing an AAA.

If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk of AAA and what you can do to reduce your risk.