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Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD): Want to connect
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (133)Comment receiving replies
I was just diagnosed with FMD and going for first appt with Vascular Surgeon next week
Diagnosis from going to Primary Card Dr for hernia and sharing constipation concerns had a CT with dye and they found this..
I have high blood pressure and am on a STATIN but
I don't have any other symptoms, am athletic, normal weight 68 year old female NYC area.
Any guidance, suggestions, from your experiences appreciated.
Replies to "I was just diagnosed with FMD and going for first appt with Vascular Surgeon next week..."
@cyndiho I just got diagnosed and I'm also 68. It was discovered when I had a series of horrific head aches and the ER ran a CTA--its in my carotid arteries. I noticed you said you were active and athletic and wonder if your doctor has said you have to stop your activity. Before this happened--I was doing a morning mile on my treadmill at a fast clip most days--- I really enjoy this and now wondering whether I will be able to do this again. I have yet to speak with a vascular surgeon but I am having high blood pressure. Thanks for any insights, Maria
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@cyndiho
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am in a similar situation to yours. During a scan of my abdomen in ER this Jan. for another reason, it showed a beaded appearance of the bilateral renal and external iliac arteries, which indicated FMD. I had follow up appointment with the primary who ordered an MRI of the neck and head to see if there was any other evidence of FMD.
Last week, I had a consultation with a vascular specialist at Mayo. Though everyone's situation is different, this is what I learned at my appointment.
- The exact reason why someone has FMD is still uncertain. Could be a genetic reason.
- More common in women, so maybe related to hormones.
- If a history of smoking, may be more at risk.
- May have had most of my life. Usually found incidentally due to a scan for another reason.
- Different types, mine shows as beading because on scan looks like a string of beads, widening and narrowing sections. The risk is that if the narrowing segment of the artery occludes the blood supply, it could cause complications.
- In my case, going forward, mine will be just monitored, usually a new scan once a year. Though I do have another appointment with vascular after the genetics appointment due to other vascular problems.
- It does not spread to other arteries. If it appears in one artery, it does not mean it will appear later in another artery.
I do have an appointment with genetics this week. I have a couple of other arterial issues, so they want to rule out if there is another genetic reason, which might be helpful for family members to know. After the appointment, if the provider recommends blood testing, I will decide whether to proceed based on cost and insurance coverage.
Blood pressure control is important in FMD; my blood pressure is under control.
You mentioned a vascular surgeon; are they thinking you will need surgery to clear your arteries?