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.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery |
| Last Updated | March 13, 2006 |
Author:Robin Parks, MS
Last Updated: 03/13/2006
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