An aneurysm is a weakened section of an artery that fills with blood and bulges out. There are several different types of aneurysms, each with a myriad of causes. With such a wide variety of medical, genetic, and lifestyle factors seen as contributing to aneurysm causes, it is difficult to nail down the likelihood of an aneurysm developing in a given individual.
Almost all aneurysms are caused by the weakening of tissues in the walls of the arteries, particularly around aortas and in the brain. Since this is the primary cause, it becomes vitally important to understand the many conditions and factors that may be responsible for this critical weakening. Understanding aneurysm causes is truly a search to ferret out the underlying problems that allows the condition to develop.
Some risk factors that can be considered related to aneurysm causes are based on previous medical history and related conditions. According to some statistics, people who have had one aneurysm have a high likelihood of developing another. Some medical experts suggest that a tendency toward this condition may run in families; those with a family history of aneurysms are often at a higher risk for developing one. Females may be more likely to develop an aneurysm than males, and some studies have shown that race may be a factor in determining risk as well.
Some medical conditions are seen as contributing factors to the development of this syndrome. Those with diabetes, hypertension, or obesity problems tend to have a higher risk. Aneurysm causes may include any illness or chronic condition that allows for a breakdown or weakening of arterial tissue.
Smoking and tobacco use are two aneurysm causes that are often overlooked by otherwise healthy individuals. In addition to contributing to high blood pressure, both smoking and alcohol addictions can do serious damage to the arteries, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to developing problems. In addition to being one of the major aneurysm causes, smoking is also thought to increase the expansion of an aneurysm and raise the chances of one bursting, which can be fatal.
Some aneurysm causes can also be traumatic in nature. A significant portion of aortic aneurysms are believed to be related to accidents or prior damage to an aorta, or an injury to the area. People in serious car are sometimes monitored carefully for signs of a developing aneurysm, particularly if a family history or other risk factors exist.
