Causes

Aneurysms can develop anywhere along the aorta, but most aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta that's in the belly area (abdomen). Several things can play a role in the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, including:

• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and other substances build up on the lining of a blood vessel.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage and weaken the aorta's walls.
• Blood vessel diseases. These are diseases that cause blood vessels to become inflamed.
• Infection in the aorta. Rarely, a bacterial or fungal infection might cause an abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Trauma. For example, being injured in a car accident can cause an abdominal aortic aneurysms.