Detection and Treatment Guide Updated 2017 Detection-and-Treatment-2017 | Page 7

Causes/Risk Factors
Brain aneurysms develop silently. Some people may have inherited a
tendency for weak blood vessels, which may lead to the development of
aneurysms. Aneurysms in children are rare, and most aneurysms probably
develop as a result of wear and tear on the arteries throughout a person’s
lifetime. Occasionally, severe head trauma or infection may lead to the
development of an aneurysm.
There are a number of risk factors that contribute to the formation of
aneurysms. Two of the most significant are, fortunately, ones that can be
controlled: cigarette smoking and high blood pressure (hypertension)
Others are: age (over 40), drug use (particularly cocaine), excessive alcohol
use, gender (women have a higher risk), and race (people of color have a
higher risk).
Wide neck berry aneurysm
Fusiform aneurysm
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