CLEVELAND — Rosie Miklavcic traveled six hours from her home in Kentucky for a doctor’s appointment in Cleveland. 

What You Need To Know

  • Fibromuscular dysplasia, or FMD, is a cardiovascular disease that primarily affects women

  • FMD can be easily misdiagnosed for plaque blockages in the arteries

  • The cardiovascular disease can cause artery tears and aneurysms

Miklavcic brought what she refers to as her collection of precious gems, although they are not the type that can be worn.

“If you look at it on a scan, that’s what it looks like is pearls,” she said.

Miklavcic is referring to the atypical cells that grow inside her carotid arteries due to fibromuscular dysplasia or FMD.

“It was a shock because I’ve just led a very healthy lifestyle. At first the doctor said it’s plaque. That was before I had the in-depth scans. I just kept saying ‘it’s not. I know it can’t be plaque.”

She was diagnosed with FMD, a rare vascular disease that can be easily misdiagnosed, after her primary care doctor heard a swooshing sound in her carotid artery. It was discovered during a routine physical 12 years ago.

FMD can be tricky to diagnose.

“I see patients all the time who’ve been getting follow up for years for carotid artery stenosis. People think it’s a plaque blockage and they’re on high-dose cholesterol meds,” said Dr. Heather Gornik, cardiologist with University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

“What’s important to know about FMD is its very different from plaque blockages. It’s closer to where the artery splits. The blockages of FMD are higher up in the vessels - towards brain,” Gornik said.

The disease can cause artery tears and aneurysms. FMD mostly affects women. The cause is unknown and there is no cure.

September is vascular awareness month. University Hospitals are one of 18 FMD centers in the country.