The key difference between atherosclerosis and Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) lies in their causes and the arteries they affect: atherosclerosis is caused by plaque buildup and affects larger arteries, while FMD involves abnormal cell growth in the artery walls, primarily affecting medium-sized arteries.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Atherosclerosis
- Cause: Characterized by the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) inside the artery walls. This plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, restricting blood flow.
- Mechanism: It is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect arteries throughout the body.
- Affected Arteries: Typically affects larger arteries, such as the coronary arteries (heart), carotid arteries (brain), and peripheral arteries (legs).
- Consequences: Can lead to heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and other cardiovascular complications.
- Risk Factors: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history of heart disease.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD)
- Cause: Abnormal cell growth in the walls of the arteries, leading to narrowing (stenosis), bulging (aneurysms), or tears (dissections). The exact cause of FMD is unknown, but genetics, hormones, and environmental factors may play a role.
- Mechanism: Instead of plaque, fibrous tissue and webs develop in the artery wall.
- Affected Arteries: Most commonly affects the renal arteries (kidneys) and carotid arteries (brain), but can also affect arteries in the abdomen, arms, and legs. FMD typically affects medium-sized arteries.
- Consequences: Can lead to high blood pressure, kidney problems, stroke, aneurysm rupture, and other vascular complications.
- Risk Factors: While the exact cause is unknown, it's more common in women, and there may be a genetic component.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Atherosclerosis | Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Plaque buildup (fat, cholesterol, etc.) | Abnormal cell growth in artery walls |
| Mechanism | Plaque hardens and narrows arteries | Fibrous tissue and webs develop, causing narrowing, aneurysms |
| Affected Arteries | Larger arteries (coronary, carotid, peripheral) | Medium-sized arteries (renal, carotid, etc.) |
| Composition | Plaque | Fibrous tissue |
In summary, atherosclerosis is a disease of plaque buildup in larger arteries, while FMD is a disease of abnormal cell growth affecting medium-sized arteries. They have different causes, mechanisms, and risk factors, although both can lead to serious cardiovascular complications.
