Abstract

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is predominantly diagnosed in women and is a congenital malformation damaging the arterial cell walls of numerous arteries, most prominently impacting the renal arteries. Although previously believed to be a disease of young women, older patients have been shown to make up a large percentage of this patient population as well. FMD is underdiagnosed, and the misdiagnosis of this disease has life-threatening consequences. Here, we present the case of a 24-year-old woman with hypertension who did not receive adequate workup until her symptoms were unrelenting. Her hypertension was presumed to be a result of her generalised anxiety disorder. However, once she began to experience vision changes and significant headaches, further workup ensued. This case exemplifies the importance of performing a thorough evaluation of all patients that present with hypertension of unknown origin, especially young women. To decrease the risk of permanent consequences such as strokes, renal failure and even death, the correct diagnosis of FMD is vital.