What can cause an aneurysm?

Question

A friend of mine died of an aneurysm. I would like more information on this.... she was also apparently addicted to morphine and demerol, could this also lead to an aneurysm?

Answer 1

An aneurysm is a permanent ballooning in the wall of an artery. The pressure of blood passing through can force part of a weakened artery to bulge outward, forming a thin-skinned blister.

Although any weak blood vessel can be affected, aneurysms usually form in the abdominal or thoracic portions of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart, or in arteries nourishing the brain. Aneurysms in any of these places are serious, while those in more peripheral locations such as the leg are often less hazardous. The gravest threat an aneurysm poses is that it will burst and cause a stroke or life-threatening massive bleeding (hemorrhage). If an aneurysm ruptures, the patient must be treated within minutes in order to have a chance of survival.

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Because aneurysms often produce either no symptoms or mild symptoms, routine examinations are strongly encouraged so that a doctor can regularly test for warning signs of a more serious problem. Even if it doesn't rupture, a large aneurysm can impede circulation and contribute to the formation of blood clots.

There are many types of aneurysms. Here are a few:

Aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm is located within the wall of the aorta. Typically, the widened part of the aorta is considered to be an aneurysm when it is more than 1.5 times its normal size. They are often due to the build-up of plaques due to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. Aneurysms may also be an inherited condition or a complication of high blood pressure (hypertension).
Cerebral aneurysm. Also known as a berry aneurysm, this occurs in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. Smoking increases a person's risk of developing a cerebral aneurysm.
Ventricular aneurysm. This is a ballooning out of part of the wall of the heart. Ventricular aneurysms may be a present since birth or may be due to a previous heart attack or severe chest trauma.
What Causes It?

Any condition that causes arterial walls to weaken or deteriorate can result in an aneurysm. The most common culprits are atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Penetrating wounds and infections can also lead to an aneurysm. Some types are the result of congenital, or inherited, weakness in artery walls.
I hope this information helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

It's a blockage of blood vessles impedes the flow heart attack brain attack (stroke) it can happen in the legs or really anywhere but those three are the most common and serious, causing ischemia and hypoxia to the tissues it supplies.

Sometime a divine inspiration.

A deep deep deep inhale flow through exhale (without stopping to hold the breath)

A Yawn

will fluctuate the flow enough to accellerate the blood through the aneurism enough to erode a pathway through it thus preventing or avoiding a heart attack or stroke in the event of aneurism.

This type of immediate treatment allows for the greatest recovery however should the blockage be an embolism, it could rupture and is especially dangerous if it does so within the cranial vault causing a stroke, ischemic penumbra, loss of functions distal and possibly death.

Ob1

Answer 3

Yes, morphine and derivatives of morphine can cause aneurysms. Alcoholics who primarily drink hard liquor are prone to aneurysms (widening of the arteries)

Answer 4

Aneurisms happen when air bubbles get into the blood stream (like if a nurse who is really bad at her job uses a needle improperly). Then some kind of stress seals the deal. My dad had a teacher that died from one when he was working out.

Answer 5

I don't know if those things can lead to an aneurism but I do believe that an aneurism is a blood clot in the brain that begins to or has been ruptured.

Answer 6

Weakening of the artery wall to the point it bursts. Drugs may well have been a factor.