A disease that causes abnormal cell development within the artery wall
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) can lead arteries to narrow (stenosis), bulge (aneurysm) or tear (dissection).
FMD can occur in any artery in the body, but it appears most often in the:
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Renal arteries, which supply the kidneys with blood
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Carotid and vertebral arteries, which supply the brain with blood
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Arteries in the abdomen, which supply blood to the liver, spleen, and intestines
Women and smokers are at greater risk of developing fibromuscular dysplasia, and most people with the disease will have it in more than one artery.
What are the symptoms?
Some people who have this condition may not have any symptoms. For others, symptoms will vary depending on the arteries that are affected.
- Renal arteries: High blood pressure, abnormal kidney function, kidney failure (rare)
- Carotid and vertebral arteries: Headache, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, stroke
- Abdominal arteries: Abdominal pain, unintended weight loss
Tests
To diagnose this condition, your doctor likely will need to perform imaging tests or other procedures to analyse the arteries.
Arterial Duplex Ultrasound for Arms and Legs
Arterial duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.
Treatments
There is no cure for FMD, but there are treatments to manage symptoms and complications of the disease. These may include medications or more advanced treatments, including:
Renal Artery Stenting
Renal artery stenting is used to open blocked or narrowed arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Michelle Arey, PA-C
Cardiology
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Rachel Barish, MSN
Cardiology
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Erika D Feller, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Seyed Ebrahim Kassaian, MD
Cardio-Oncology & Cardiology
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Salman Masood Malik, MD
Cardiology
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Stefanie Malouf, CRSP, PA
Thoracic Surgery
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Nicholas Samuel Streicher, MD
Neurology
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Janet C Tsang, MD
Cardiology
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Hakim T. Uqdah, DO
Cardiology
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Sara E. Wanner, ACNP-BC, MSN
Cardiology
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Akshay Narendra Amin, MD
Nephrology
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Sandesh Kumar Joshi, MBBS, MD
Nephrology
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Parvez A Khatri, MD
Nephrology
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Saeed Joseph Kronfli, MD
Nephrology
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Ifeoma Okadigbo, MD
Nephrology
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.