Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Aneurysm

The cause of most aneurysms is unknown although aneurysms of larger arteries, such as the aorta, are thought to be largely due to build-up of fat in artery walls (atherosclerosis). Anyone can develop atherosclerosis, but it is more common with increasing age. Certain 'risk factors' also increase the chance of atherosclerosis developing; these include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, raised cholesterol level, taking little exercise, and obesity.

Brain aneurysms are due in most cases to a weakness in the artery wall that has been present from birth. They may also be linked to high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

An aneurysm can be caused by an injury to an artery that does not rupture the wall but weakens it, so that blood pressure gradually causes the blood vessel to balloon out. An example of this would be a crush injury to the chest such as may be sustained in a car crash. Another much less common cause of aortic aneurysm is the genetic disease, Marfan syndrome.

• AbortionAbscessAccident and emergency departmentsAccidents and first aidAccidents to children in the homeAcneAcoustic neuromaActinomycosisAcupunctureAddictionsAddison's diseaseAdenoids and adenoidectomyAgoraphobiaAir embolismAlcohol misuseAllergiesAltitude sicknessAlzheimer's diseaseAmbulance ServiceAmniocentesisAmniotomyAmoebiasisAnaemiaAnaesthesiaAnaesthetic, generalAnaesthetic, localAnal fissureAnal fistulaAnaphylaxisAndrogen insensitivity syndromeAneurysmAnginaAngioedemaAngiographyAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAntacid drugsAntenatal careAntenatal screeningAnti-inflammatories, non-steroidalAnticoagulant drugsAntidepressant drugsAntifungal drugsAntihistamine drugsAnxietyAphasiaApnoeaAppendicitisArthritisArthroscopyArtificial inseminationAsbestosisAspergillosisAsthmaAstigmatismAtherosclerosisAthlete's footAtrial fibrillationAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutism

  ---