Definition of Stroke secondary to FMD:

Stroke secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an interruption of blood flow to the brain due to problems with the structure of the arteries that supply the brain with blood.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. Stroke secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) primarily affects women, especially those older than 50.

FMD is an inherited disorder involving the ongoing destruction of arterial blood vessels. There are areas of increased muscle and fibrous (scar-like) tissue in the wall of the affected arteries, which alternate with enlarged (dilated) areas of destroyed tissue. This irregularity in the arteries increases the risk for stroke.

The disease may affect the neck arteries (carotids) that supply blood to the brain, or the arteries within the brain (cerebral) and cause stroke. It may also affect the following arteries:

• Kidneys (renal)
• Intestinal tract (mesenteric)
• Heart (coronary)
• Groin (iliac)

Secondary symptoms include high blood pressure, leg pain, heart attack, kidney failure, and other disorders.

Risks include a personal or family history of FMD.