IL6 and Hypertension: Indeed, IL6 signaling may represent a disease mechanism common to both AAA and CAD, in that its relevant effects include endothelial cell activation, lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, increased coagulation, and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.41 Other than addressing general CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes mellitus, there are currently no approved pharmacological therapies for the treatment of AAA.