Stroke secondary to FMD

Alternative names:

fibromuscular dysplasia - stroke secondary to

Definition:

A brain disorder resulting in loss of brain functions; caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, an inherited disorder that includes destruction of arterial blood vessels.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Stroke secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) primarily affects women, especially those over 50 years old.

FMD is an inherited disorder involving destruction of arterial blood vessels. There are areas of increased muscle and fibrous tissue in the wall of the artery, which alternate with enlarged (dilated) areas where the tissue has been destroyed. The disease may affect the neck arteries that supply blood to the brain (carotid) or the arteries within the brain (cerebral) and cause stroke. It may also affect the arteries of the kidneys (renal), intestinal tract (mesenteric), heart (coronary), and the large arteries of the groin (iliac), causing other symptoms including high blood pressure, leg pain, heart attack, kidney failure, and other disorders.

Risks include a personal or family history of FMD.