What are causes of an aortic aneurysm?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.