What increases my risk for a brain aneurysm?
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A brain aneurysm is caused when an artery wall weakens and then balloons or swells. They can occur in anyone at any time, but there are risks that factor into the weakening of artery walls placing some people at higher risk for the aneurysm to rupture. 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
- older age
- family history of brain aneurysms, particularly when the family member is a parent or sibling
- decreased estrogen levels after menopause
- unusually narrow aorta that constrict the flow of oxygen through the body
- irregular connections between veins and arteries that interrupt blood flow
A brain aneurysm is caused when an artery wall weakens and then balloons or swells. They can occur in anyone at any time, but there are risks that factor into the weakening of artery walls placing some people at higher risk for the aneurysm to... More -
Dr. David Newell of Swedish answered:Anyone can develop a brain aneurysm (also called a cerebral aneurysm) at any time. About 1 in 40 people will develop a brain aneurysm, usually between the ages of 40 and 60.
Sometimes a brain aneurysm is caused by conditions that you cannot control, such as:
- Family history: If two or more close relatives (parents, brothers or sisters, or children) have aneurysms, you may be at risk for a "familial aneurysm." This type of aneurysm tends to rupture while it is still small.
- Birth defect: You may have been born with a defect in one of your blood vessels that allows an aneurysm to develop.
- Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop a brain aneurysm.
- Race: African Americans are more susceptible to brain aneurysm
- Disease, infection, circulatory disorder: Some genetic diseases and some types of infections and circulatory disorders may cause a brain aneurysm. Aneurysms that occur after an infection in the heart or blood vessels are called mycotic aneurysms.
- Trauma: An accident with trauma to the head may cause a traumatic aneurysm, a rare type of aneurysm in an artery in the brain.
Anyone can develop a brain aneurysm (also called a cerebral aneurysm) at any time. About 1 in 40 people will develop a brain aneurysm, usually between the ages of 40 and 60. Sometimes a brain aneurysm is caused by conditions that you cannot... More -
Dr. Mandip Dhamoon of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Cerebral aneurysms are caused by excessive wear and tear on the inner lining of the blood vessel. Major risk factors for the development of aneurysms are high blood pressure, smoking, estrogen deficiency, and a condition called coarctation of the aorta, in which there is a narrowing in a part of the major blood vessel, the aorta. Genetics also are thought to play a role.
Cerebral aneurysms are caused by excessive wear and tear on the inner lining of the blood vessel. Major risk factors for the development of aneurysms are high blood pressure, smoking, estrogen deficiency, and a condition called coarctation of the... More -
Dr. Jack Klem of Baptist Health South Florida answered:An aneurysm can develop from hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, in addition to aging. So the common-sense approach to overall health can help minimize the risk for a brain aneurysm, such as not smoking and treating high blood pressure.
However, you can also inherit the tendency to form aneurysms. Family history is a risk factor that is beyond your control; so is gender. Women are more likely to develop an aneurysm, or a resulting subarachnoid hemorrhage, which refers to the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain.
Race is also a risk factor. African Americans are more likely to have a subarachnoid hemorrhage.An aneurysm can develop from hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, in addition to aging. So the common-sense approach to overall health can help minimize the risk for a brain aneurysm, such as not smoking and treating high blood pressure.... More
