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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Abdominal aortic aneurysms
About 75 percent of all aortic aneurysms occur in the part of your aorta that's in your abdomen. Although the exact cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms is unknown, researchers think a number of factors can play a role, including:
- Tobacco use. Cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use make up one of the most significant factors involved in the development of aortic aneurysms. In addition to the damaging effects that smoking causes directly to the arteries, smoking contributes to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, and causes aneurysms to grow faster.
- High blood pressure. High blood pressure, especially if poorly controlled, increases the risk of developing an aortic aneurysm.
- Infection in the aorta (vasculitis). In rare cases, aortic aneurysm may be caused by an infection or inflammation (vasculitis) that weakens a section of the aortic wall. There is often a pattern of aneurysm development among family members, meaning it could be genetic.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms
About 25 percent of aortic aneurysms occur higher up in your chest (the thoracic area of the aorta). While the same risk factors associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms can contribute to thoracic aortic aneurysms, there are some additional factors that can lead to a thoracic aortic aneurysm, including:
- Marfan syndrome. People who are born with Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the connective tissue in the body, are particularly at risk of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Those with Marfan syndrome may have a weakness in the aortic wall that makes them more susceptible to aneurysm. People with Marfan syndrome often have distinct physical traits, including tall stature, very long arms, a deformed breastbone and eye problems.
- Previous injury to the aorta. You're more likely to have a thoracic aortic aneurysm if you've had previous problems with your aorta, such as a tear in the wall of the aorta (aortic dissection).
- Traumatic injury. Some people who are injured in falls or motor vehicle crashes develop thoracic aortic aneurysms.
An aortic aneurysm is different from a condition called aortic dissection. Aortic dissection often occurs in the same place many aneurysms occur. In aortic dissection, a tear occurs in the wall of the aorta. This causes bleeding into and along the aortic wall and, in some cases, completely outside the aorta (rupture). Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency.
