Cardiac aneurysm is a general medical term referring to a condition impacting regions of the heart such as the aorta, ventricular wall, or atria. The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to other areas of the body, the Cleveland Clinic notes. During an aortic aneurysm, the artery wall is enlarged and bulges outward, leading to rupture and serious complications such as internal bleeding. The left ventricular wall is the main pumping chamber of the heart and aneurysm in this area can result in heart failure. The upper area of the heart, referred to as the atria, is also susceptible to aneurysm, and occurrence is associated with increased risk of stroke and severe internal bleeding when ruptured. Each cardiac area is susceptible to aneurysm for differing reasons; however, risk increases in those with high blood pressure, people who smoke, and those with plaque on the inner walls of the arteries.
Heart Damage
Congenital, ongoing or sudden conditions that weaken the heart can cause cardiac aneurysm. The "Western Journal of Medicine" explains that ventricular aneurysm is a common complication resulting from myocardial infarction, also referred to as heart attack. The cardiac aneurysm in this instance occurs after damage to the heart causes thinning and fibrosis of the ventricle walls. Congenital conditions, which refer to defects existing from birth, make the body susceptible to cardiac aneurysm. Depending on the specific condition, the Mayo Clinic notes that congenital conditions such as Marfan syndrome cause weakness in the aortic wall, increasing the risk of heart attack and injury to the aorta.
Plaque Build-Up
The Cleveland Clinic indicates that the majority of aortic aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis, which is the build-up and hardening of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Essentially, plaque is the accumulation of fat deposits that over time cause the walls to harden and narrow. This weakens the aorta, forcing blood to be pumped harder to reach the proper areas of the body. Eventually, the extra work each system has to perform due to the excess plaque, causes the walls of the aorta to expand and bulge beyond normal limits and inevitably, rupture ensues.
Blood Pressure and Lifestyle
According to the Texas Heart Institute, anything that increases blood pressure for significant periods of time can weaken artery walls, which lead to bulging and eventual rupture. High blood pressure that is poorly controlled is a potential culprit in causing cardiac aneurysm. Factors that influence blood pressure, such as use of tobacco or alcohol, nutrition and activity level, link to later incidence of developing cardiac aneurysm. The Mayo Clinic explains that these factors can not only cause direct damage to the arteries, but also contribute to the likelihood of atherosclerosis, which will cause aneurysms to grow faster.
