Is Smoking Causing More People to Die from Aortic Aneurysms?

A multifaceted approach is necessary to reduce the deaths of smoking-related aortic aneurysms, according to a study presented at ACC.25.

“Aortic aneurysm leads to significant morbidities and mortalities among males, smokers, and the elderly. Silent progression and potentially fatal outcomes represent ever-growing health challenges. Analyzing trends and risk factors is crucial for optimizing health services,” the researchers noted.

The investigators used the global burden of disease data to estimate mortality, percentage change (APC) in death rate, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). They analyzed the findings based on age, gender, region, and risk factors.

The findings showed that deaths due to aortic aneurysms attributable to smoking markedly rose from 36,485 (95% UI: 31,090 – 42,553) in 1990 to 47,537 (95% UI: 39,480 – 56,007) in 2021. Notably, men faced a higher burden compared to women, with deaths (39,112 vs 8,424), and DALYs (9,72,212 vs 1,85,275).

“A multifaceted approach including public awareness of smoking cessation, robust screening in elderly males, and appropriate observation with treatment is essential for slashing the mortality rate,” the researchers concluded.

Source:

American College of Cardiology 2025 Scientific Session 2025. Kakadiya J, et al. Impact of Smoking on Burden and Trends of Aortic Aneurysm Across 204 Countries and Territories: Comparative Global Analysis From The Global Burden of Disease 2021.