What are the leading causes of aneurysms?

Unclear: Atherosclerosis syphilis hypertension congenital and familial syndromes and collagen diseases marfan, ehlers danlos all these entities are associated and there are theories of genetic flaws or ischemia of the wall etc.

Run in families: Although it is not entirely clear as to what causes aneurysms, there is a definite familial predisposition to their development. If a parent or sibling has or have had an aneurysm, it is important to be checked. This can be done simply and easily with an ultrasound. Contact a vascular surgeon and have the test done at an icavl accredited vascular laboratory.

Genes and smoking: A predisposition to abdominal aortic aneurysm formation can either be genetic, (which you can do nothing about) or acquired, most likely from smoking (which you can do a great deal about).