An aneurysm occurs when there is damage to the media. This can be caused by congenital weakness, trauma to the artery wall, infection, or some disease process. The most common cause of aortic aneurysms is atherosclerosis. Other risk factors for aortic aneurysms include hypertension, smoking, and genetic predisposition. Aortic aneurysms most frequently occur in white males between 50 and 60 years of age.
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the aneurysm.
Most aortic aneurysms, both thoracic and abdominal, are asymptomatic. A thoracic aneurysm may cause dyspnea, cough, hoarseness, or dysphagia. These are related to pressure being placed on surrounding structures by the aneurysm. If any symptoms are present, the major symptom is pain. With thoracic aortic aneurysm, the pain is usually substernal chest pain.