Causes

Causes of Aneurysm?

Brain (cerebral) aneurysm Potential causes:

  • Weakness in the arterial wall (usually since birth)
  • Hypertension.
  • Atherosclerosis (plaques of cholesterol, platelets, fibrin formed in the arterial wall).
  • Age at menopause influences cerebral aneurysm risk – early menopause increases the risk.
  • Most aneurysms develop at the bifurcating folk of the artery as it is weaker. They mostly form at the base of the brain but could be present anywhere.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) causes:

  • Atherosclerosis.
  • Smoking is a major risk factor as smoking contributes to atherosclerosis, hypertension, and acceleration of aneurysmal growth. Women smokers are 4 times more likely to develop AAA.
  • Poorly controlled hypertension.
  • Vasculitis (infection in the aorta) is mostly familial.
  • Cocaine users had 4 times more risk of coronary artery aneurysms.
  • Gene linked – the gene linked with cancer and cardiovascular development is also linked to AAA.
  • Traumatic injury – caused by vehicle accident of a bad fall.

Thoracic Aortic aneurysm causes:

These are the same for AAA with the addition of:

  • Marfan syndrome – a disorder of connective tissue.
  • A previous aortic injury like aortic dissection.

Content Reviewed by – Dr. Jaisom Chopra

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