What are causes of an aortic aneurysm?

Question

What is the presumed cause of most aneurysms of the abdominal aorta?

Answer 1

Several things: About 5% of men over the age of 65 have abdominal aortic aneurysms. Risk factors include: increasing age, male sex, family history of aneurysm (may increase your risk 4-fold), hypertension, and history of smoking. Dissecting aneurysms can be caused by localized damage to to the artery from hypertension or trauma (deceleration or sheering-type injury) or catheter injury from an angiogram.

Answer 2

Many: "causes" are associated problems that are thought to be the reasons. Remember, though, that association is not necessarily causation. That said, more important is what to do about presence of aneurysm. Since there is weakness in the "pipe", this needs to be evaluated whether treatment is necessary, urgent or elective, or not at all. Seeing a vascular surgeon for an opinion is needed.

Answer 3

Many: Many causes such as high cholesterol, smoking, uncontrolled BP and certain genetic causes as well as sudden deceleration injuries.

Answer 4

Multiple factors: Smoking and certain genetic factors contribute to the development of aortic aneurysm. Maintaining a normal cholesterol and lipid profile can help reduce your risk too.

Answer 5

Known risk factors: Certain aneurysms are caused by genetic predispositions that is caused by such conditions as marfan's syndrome. Otherwise the usual cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking.

Answer 6

Congenital or acquir: There is a 10% family inheritance if you have a first degree relative with an aneurysm. There is a strong disposition between smoking and hypertension as well..

Answer 7

Cysticmedialnecrosis: The aorta is a living organ. Has 3 layers. Intima, media, adventitia. The aortic wall is nourished by the vasa vasorum. Arteriosclerosis creates cholesterol plaque, the vasa vasorum occlude, the media slowly dies and becomes replaced by collagenous tissue, pressure and Collagenase activity weaken wall and it dilates excessively, if not repaired claims 17, 000 americans/yr.70%infrarenal.

Answer 8

Unknown : There are factors thought to be associated with the development of an aortic aneurysm such as genetic problems with an enzyme called elastase, other types of collagen disorders, and possibly hypertension. It is difficult, if not impossible, to detect the specific cause for most individual patients.

Answer 9

Ruptured aneurysm: An abdominal aneurysm can rupture for many reasons. Most common is size. As the aneurysm enlarges the wall gets weaker. We know that aneurysms over 5 cm have a higher rupture rate and those should be operated on electively. Other factors making rupture more likely would be uncontrolled high blood pressure and infection in the wall of aneiurysm.

Answer 10

Aortic Aneurysms: It is not entirely clear exactly what causes aortic aneurysms, but we know of a few risk factors, probably the most significant of which is smoking. Other risk factors include atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. There is also a hereditary component, so these can run in families. There are also genetic syndromes such as Marfan's or ehlers-danlos which are associated. See a vascular surgeon.

Answer 11

Occur not caused: Congenital familial rare Marfan etc atherosclerosis and wall deterioration over time with dilation some after dissection some after trauma- more pseudoaneurysms from that.

Answer 12

Lot of things: Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), aging, infection (syphilis for one), traujma, some congenital problems such as marfan's or ehlers-danlos where there is inherited weakness in the artery wall, and inflamation. Hypertension can cause a "dissecting aneruysm" ( a tear in the aorta).

Answer 13

Arteriosclerosis: Most arteriosclerotic aneurysms result in cystic medial necrosis of the aorta resulting in dilatation of the artery secodary to the internal pressure and weakness of the arterial wall. Any part of the aorta and its branches may be affected. Infections with bacteria, fungus, syphillis may also produce aneurysms in the aorta.

Answer 14

Yes: Lifting or any kind of strenuous exercise will increase the blood pressure. If this happens in a sudden fashion then conceivably the aneurysm can rupture. A lot depends on the size of the aneurysm as well.

Answer 15

It may: But, not necessarily. Even non-lifting does not prevent rupture. Goes to show that there are many reasons for rupture. Take care of it before it ruptures. Have it evaluated by a specialist.

Answer 16

Large aorta: An aortic aneurysm is an aorta which is larger than it should be. This is typically due weakness of the walls of the aorta. This weakness can be secondary to degenerative change, congenital (born with it) abnormalities of the wall of the aorta, or trauma.

Answer 17

Weak wall: The aorta is a living pipe. It has 3 layers, the inner layer or intima, the middle layer or media were some muscle like cells dwell and the adventitia rich in collagen fibers. The process of arteriosclerosis may result in slow death of the media which then gets replaced by collagen scar. The pressure inside the aorta and the wall weakness will result in dilatation of the aorta and it could burst.

Answer 18

The aorta: The aorta is the large, main artery that carries blood from the heart. An aneurysm (a portion that dilates or expands to a larger than normal diameter) can occur anywhere along its length, from where it emerges from the heart in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) to where it travels through the abdomen & splits into the iliac arteries (abdominal aortic aneurysm, or aaa) - or anywhere between.

Answer 19

Follows the aorta: The aorta starts at the heart (in the chest) extends to the neck, comes down the chest, into the abdomen and divides at the level of the belly button. Most aortic aneurysms are located in the abdomen.

What are causes of an aortic aneurysm?

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