the most common cause of aortic aneurysms is hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) but other causes include: genetic/hereditary: there is a familial tendency to developing abdominal aortic aneurysms. peoplewith first-degree relatives (brothers sisters or parents) having abdominal aortic aneurysms have a higher risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm than the general population. they also tend to develop the aneurysms at younger ages and have a higher tendency to suffer aneurysm rupture than individuals without family history. genetic disease: there are also rare inheritable genetic diseases of connective tissue (tissue that make up the wall of the aorta) such as ehlers-danlos syndrome and marfan's syndrome that can lead to the development of aortic aneurysms. posttrauma: after physical trauma to the aorta. arteritis: inflammation of blood vessels as occurs in takayasu disease giant cell arteritis and relapsing polychondritis. mycotic (fungal) infection: a mycotic infection may be associated with immunodeficiency iv drug abuse syphilis and heart valve surgery.
what causes aortic aneurysms aside from arteriosclerosis?