What is the greatest modifiable risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm?

What is the greatest modifiable risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm?

• A. Hyperlipidemia
• B. Hypertension
• C. Cigarette smoking
• D. Obesity

Answer: (C)

Cigarette smoking is the strongest modifiable factor linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Tobacco use drives inflammation, oxidative stress, and upregulates enzymes that break down elastin and collagen in the aortic wall, allowing dilation to develop and progress. Smoking not only increases the risk of developing an aneurysm but also accelerates its growth and raises the chance of rupture, more so than other common modifiable factors. While hypertension and hyperlipidemia contribute to vascular disease, their independent association with AAA is weaker than the impact of smoking. Obesity also has a weaker link to AAA risk. Importantly, cessation can slow aneurysm growth and reduce rupture risk, making smoking the most impactful target for prevention.

Cigarette smoking is the strongest modifiable factor linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Tobacco use drives inflammation, oxidative stress, and upregulates enzymes that break down elastin and collagen in the aortic wall, allowing dilation to develop and progress. Smoking not only increases the risk of developing an aneurysm but also accelerates its growth and raises the chance of rupture, more so than other common modifiable factors. While hypertension and hyperlipidemia contribute to vascular disease, their independent association with AAA is weaker than the impact of smoking. Obesity also has a weaker link to AAA risk. Importantly, cessation can slow aneurysm growth and reduce rupture risk, making smoking the most impactful target for prevention.