Causes

Who is affected?

Aneurysms can occur in all age groups, with the peak age of presentation of a ruptured aneurysm between 50-60 years. Women have a higher incidence of this occurrence than men.

The exact mechanisms by which aneurysms develop are still not fully understood. Previously thought to be congenital defects in the vessel wall, there is little evidence for such inherited weakness. It is now thought to be a degenerative condition with a number of contributory factors.

Risk Factors

These include:

• Age: There is a higher incidence with increasing age
• Smoking
• Atherosclerosis: Asian’s have a higher incidence of intracranial atherosclerosis (build-up of fatty deposits in the brain arteries) which weakens the vessels wall
• High blood pressure
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Recreational drug use (e.g. cocaine)
• Injury or trauma to blood vessels
• Complication from some types of blood infections