Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD): Causes, Symptoms & Risks

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) patients form abnormal cell clusters on the walls of their arteries. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, if not treated, FMD can cause high blood pressure, stroke, aneurysms, kidney failure and other serious health issues.

Causes

• The cause of FMD remains unknown. Genetics are thought to be a factor, although no genetic test exists for the condition. Hormones are thought to play a role in the disease, because women are more likely to develop the condition than men.

Signs

• Most people with FMD experience no symptoms, and diagnosis occurs accidentally through testing intended to diagnose another condition.

Diagnosis

• If doctors suspect a patient might have FMD, a diagnosis involves locating the artery with the abnormal cell growth. This process includes sophisticated testing such as Doppler ultrasound, computerized tomography, angiogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

• When a patient receives a diagnosis of FMD, the affected artery will be monitored closely. Drug therapy is designed to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of stroke. Surgery can clear the blockages when they become severe.

Outcome

• Fibromuscular dysplasia is a treatable, but not a curable, disease. With careful monitoring, drug treatment and surgical intervention when necessary, the disease can be controlled in most patients.