Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Heart & Vascular >
  • Conditions We Treat >
  • Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Heart & Vascular
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Adventitial Cystic Disease
Aneurysms
Angina
Aortic Coarctation
Aortic Disease
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Root Aneurysm
Aortic Stenosis
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease
Aortopathy
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Arteriovenous Malformation
Ascending Aortic Arch Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Atrial Fibrillation
AV Fistula
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Brachiocephalic Arterial Insufficiency
Bradycardia
Brugada Syndrome
Buergers Disease
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiomyopathy
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid Artery Stenosis
Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Connective Tissue Disorder
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Vasospasm
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Diabetic Arterial Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dysphagia Lusoria
Familial Lipid Syndrome
Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Foot Leg Ulcers
Gestational Hypertension
Giant Cell Arteritis
Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Heart Murmurs
Heart Palpitations
Heart Valve Disease
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Infective Endocarditis
Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Long QT Syndrome
Lyme Carditis
Lymphedema
Marfan Syndrome
May Thurner Syndrome
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Myocarditis
Nutcracker Syndrome
Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease
Pericarditis
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Peripheral Aneurysm
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Venous Disease
Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome
Postpartum Hypertension
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Premature Ventricular Contraction
Pulmonary Embolism
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Tachycardia
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Varicose Spider Veins
Vascular Malformations
Vascular Trauma
Vasculitis
Vasospastic Disorder
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Ulcer
Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
Our Services
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us
Heart & Vascular
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Adventitial Cystic Disease
Aneurysms
Angina
Aortic Coarctation
Aortic Disease
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Root Aneurysm
Aortic Stenosis
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease
Aortopathy
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Arteriovenous Malformation
Ascending Aortic Arch Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Atrial Fibrillation
AV Fistula
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Brachiocephalic Arterial Insufficiency
Bradycardia
Brugada Syndrome
Buergers Disease
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiomyopathy
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid Artery Stenosis
Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Connective Tissue Disorder
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Vasospasm
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Diabetic Arterial Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dysphagia Lusoria
Familial Lipid Syndrome
Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Foot Leg Ulcers
Gestational Hypertension
Giant Cell Arteritis
Heart Disease
Heart Failure
Heart Murmurs
Heart Palpitations
Heart Valve Disease
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Infective Endocarditis
Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Long QT Syndrome
Lyme Carditis
Lymphedema
Marfan Syndrome
May Thurner Syndrome
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Myocarditis
Nutcracker Syndrome
Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease
Pericarditis
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Peripheral Aneurysm
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Venous Disease
Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome
Postpartum Hypertension
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Premature Ventricular Contraction
Pulmonary Embolism
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Tachycardia
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Varicose Spider Veins
Vascular Malformations
Vascular Trauma
Vasculitis
Vasospastic Disorder
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Ulcer
Visceral Artery Aneurysm
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
Our Services
For Patients
For Professionals & Students
Our Locations
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a disorder that affects the walls of blood vessels. It's non-atherosclerotic and non-inflammatory, meaning fatty buildup in the vessels or inflammation cause it.

Abnormal growth, called fibroplasia, forms in the artery walls, causing them to narrow or look beaded.

Looking for Fibromuscular Dysplasia Care?

Related services:

  • Heart and Vascular

Find a Provider

On this page

  • What Is FMD?
  • What Are the Symptoms of FMD?
  • How Do You Diagnose FMD?
  • How Do You Treat FMD?

What Is Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)?

FMD is a disorder that affects the walls of blood vessels or arteries. It is not a result of inflammation or plaque buildup.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood to different parts of the body. They often consist of strong, flexible cells.

But with FMD, the artery's cells become:

  • Weak.
  • Stiff.
  • Fibrous.
  • Easier to damage.

What are the types of FMD?

There are three types of FMD:

  • Multifocal FMD – This is the most common type, in which the arteries look like a string of beads.
  • Focal FMD – This affects about 10% of people with FMD. This type involves the narrowing of the arteries or lesions in the arterial wall.
  • Adventitial FMD – A rare type that affects the outer layer of the artery.

FMD can happen in any artery but most commonly affects the:

  • Renal arteries – which bring blood to your kidneys.
  • Carotid arteries – which bring blood to your brain.
  • Subclavian arteries – which bring blood to the upper part of your body.
  • Vertebral arteries – which bring blood to the back of the brain.

In most cases, FMD can occur in more than one artery.

What causes FMD?

FMD can happen to anyone but is most common in women ages 25 to 50.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes FMD, but it likely has underlying factors like:

  • Hormones – Most people with FMD are women.
  • Mechanical stress from trauma – which places a physical strain on the arteries.
  • Genes – FMD can run in families, although many people with FMD have no family history of it.
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (type IV) – FMD can sometimes go hand in hand with this genetic connective tissue disorder.
  • A lack of oxygen supplying the blood vessel walls – This causes the vessels to form fibrous lesions.
  • Environment – Smoking and estrogen have known links to FMD.

What are FMD risk factors and complications?

Some people with FMD have no symptoms. Symptoms depend on the blood vessels involved.

Even without symptoms, FMD can lead to severe, even life-threatening, complications. It can narrow the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys and brain.

Some complications of FMD include:

  • Changes in kidney function – Reduced blood flow from narrowed arteries can damage the kidneys. You may have flank pain.
  • High blood pressure – When the blood vessel narrows, the pressure on the artery walls increases.
  • Torn arteries – Fibrous cells in the artery make them more prone to tears.
  • Aneurysm – or a bulge or weak spot in an artery. Cell changes can weaken the artery walls, making them more likely to bulge.
  • Stroke – When FMD affects the carotid or vertebral arteries, you may have a mini-stroke or stroke-like symptoms.

Back to top


What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromuscular Dysplasia?

Symptoms of FMD vary based on the arteries where they are occurring. Many people have no symptoms.

Kidney (renal) artery FMD symptoms

  • High blood pressure.
  • Abnormal kidney function.
  • Flank pain.
  • Bruit ((pronounced broo-ee) an abnormal sound in the neck or belly heard with a stethoscope.
  • Headaches, especially migraines.
  • Whooshing sounds or ringing in the ears.
  • Neck pain.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Dizziness or vertigo.
  • A transient ischemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini-stroke.

Abdominal artery FMD symptoms

  • Stomach pain after eating.
  • Weight loss.

Arm and leg artery symptoms

  • Pain with exercise.
  • A lack of blood flow to the limbs (limb ischemia) or blocked arteries.
  • Discoloration of the fingertips.

Heart (coronary) artery symptoms

  • Chest pain.
  • Heart attack.
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

Carotid and vertebral artery FMD symptoms

  • Headaches.
  • Ringing in the ears.
  • Dizziness.

When Should I see a doctor about my FMD Symptoms?

See a doctor if you have symptoms related to the affected artery of your FMD. They can help you find what you need to feel better.

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away if you're showing signs of a stroke, including:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Vision problems
  • Trouble speaking

Back to top


How Do You Diagnose Fibromuscular Dysplasia?

FMD can be hard to diagnose since no specific signs and symptoms exist.

Your doctor will first do a physical exam and take a detailed medical history.

In some cases, they can diagnose FMD after:

  • Taking an x-ray or other imaging test that shows a beaded appearance in the arteries.
  • Hearing a whooshing sound — called a bruit — during a routine exam.

To diagnose FMD, your UPMC vascular surgeon may order one or more of the following imaging tests:

  • Angiography — uses a catheter and x-rays to create images of your arteries.
  • Duplex ultrasound — uses sound waves to take pictures of the blood flow through your blood vessels.
  • Computerized tomography angiogram (CTA) — uses cross-sectional x-rays and a computer to create detailed 3D images.
  • Magnetic resonance angiogram — uses a large magnet, radio waves, and computers to make detailed images. This test looks for a bulge or tear in the artery.

Back to top


How Do You Treat Fibromuscular Dysplasia?

Doctors can treat FMD with medicine. In some cases, you may need surgery or other treatment.

Most people do well with treatment and routine checkups.

Your UPMC vascular surgeon will create a treatment plan based on your needs and the blood vessels involved.

FMD treatment may include:

  • Lifestyle changes that lower your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which contribute to vascular disease.
  • Follow-up imaging tests to check the health of your arteries.
  • Drugs to prevent blood clots, control blood pressure and treat headaches.
  • Endovascular balloon angioplasty a catheter-based procedure that uses a balloon to open narrowed or blocked arteries.
  • Surgery to repair damaged, bulging, or weak arteries.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login