A 30-year-old woman presents to the emergency room complaining that she has the “worst headache” of her life. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 135/85 mm Hg, and pulse 90 per minute....

A 30-year-old woman presents to the emergency room complaining that she has the “worst headache” of her life. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 135/85 mm Hg, and pulse 90 per minute. The patient shows no evidence of muscle weakness or ataxia. Imaging studies reveal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and an angiogram shows a saccular aneurysm. Which of the following best describes the pathogenesis of aneurysm formation in this patient?

(A) Atherosclerosis

(B) Bacterial infection

(C) Congenital weakness

(D) Diabetes mellitus

(E) Systemic hypertension