What is Fibromuscular Dysplasia?
A non-inflammatory vascular disease that causes abnormal cell growth in artery walls, leading to stenosis, aneurysms, and dissections.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is a condition that causes abnormal cellular growth in the walls of one or more medium-sized arteries. Most commonly affecting the renal and carotid arteries, FMD can lead to arterial narrowing (stenosis), aneurysms, or dissections. When the carotid or vertebral arteries are involved, patients frequently experience debilitating neurological symptoms.
These neurological symptoms—including chronic headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties—arise from altered blood flow to the brain. While vascular interventions address the structural arterial changes, the resulting neurological symptoms often persist and are poorly managed by conventional medications alone.
FMD affects approximately 3–5% of the population, predominantly women. Cervical (carotid/vertebral) artery involvement is found in over 70% of FMD patients and drives most neurological symptoms.
