Rare Disease Day 2014: Spotlight on Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Fibromuscular Dysplasia is a disorder characterized by abnormal cellular growth in the walls of medium and large arteries. The demographics is predominately women and it presents usually sometime after puberty. FMD is being diagnosed much more commonly now because of the imaging techniques that we have. Researchers are discovering that it is much more common than once thought and in the fast majority of people it probably causes no problems. However, FMD may be one of the puzzle pieces in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). Overall, researchers have known about FMD for decades and that it is associated with anuerysms, dissections and blockages. FMD most commonly effects the renal and carotid arteries.  Unfortunately, FMD can have fatal consequences.