What causes a brain aneurysm?
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Brain aneurysms can result when arteries weaken and deteriorate. They often form at weak spots in the artery, such as where the artery branches or forks. There are many possible causes for artery wall weakening that can lead to the formation of a brain aneurysm. These include:
- head trauma
- high blood pressure
- alcohol abuse
- drug abuse (particularly of cocaine)
- hardening of the arteries or other vascular diseases
- congenital abnormality in the artery
- some genetic diseases like polycystic kidney disease
- some circulatory diseases that impact blood flow to the brain
- cigarette smoking
- infection
- cancers, particularly those that cause head and neck tumors
Brain aneurysms can result when arteries weaken and deteriorate. They often form at weak spots in the artery, such as where the artery branches or forks. There are many possible causes for artery wall weakening that can lead to the formation of a... More -
Dr. Joshua Bederson of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:The etiology of aneurysm formation is debated but is thought to be due to a small area of weakness in the blood vessel wall near a branch point of the blood vessel. A number of factors may contribute to aneurysm formation.
These include:
• Congenital predisposition
• Arterial hypertensive disease
• Cigarette smoking
• Complications of blood infections
• Traumatic injury
The etiology of aneurysm formation is debated but is thought to be due to a small area of weakness in the blood vessel wall near a branch point of the blood vessel. A number of factors may contribute to aneurysm formation. These... More -
Dr. Carolyn D. Brockington answered:The very term brain aneurysm is frightening -- but many people don't know quite what an aneurysm is. In this video, stroke neurologist Dr. Carolyn Brockington explains what happens in an aneurysm and why it's so dangerous.
The very term brain aneurysm is frightening -- but many people don't know quite what an aneurysm is. In this video, stroke neurologist Dr. Carolyn Brockington explains what happens in an aneurysm and why it's so dangerous. More
