The Relationship Between Abdominal Aneurysms and Brain Aneurysms

Aneurysms are potentially dangerous bulges in arteries caused by weakness in the artery walls. Although they both pose very real health risks, there is no clear relationship between aneurysms of the abdomen and aneurysms of the brain.

Facts

• Abdominal aneurysms affect the body's main blood vessel, the aorta. Brain aneurysms can affect various arteries in the brain.

Relationship Between Aneurysms

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the causes of aneurysms are not fully understood. In some cases, they are congenital (present from birth), and in others they are triggered by lifestyle factors, bacterial or fungal infections or traumatic injury. A link between abdominal and brain aneurysms is not indicated.

Factors In Abdominal Aneurysms

• High blood pressure, smoking and the dangerous buildup of cholesterol-containing plaque (atherosclerosis) may all increase the chances of an abdominal aneurysm.

Additional Locations of Aneurysms

• Aneurysms may also occur in the chest, intestines, spleen and behind the knee.

Considerations

• Aneurysms often cause no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they vary according to the site of the damaged artery.