What is a common presenting symptom of a patient with renal artery stenosis?

The correct answer, headaches, can arise in patients with renal artery stenosis due to the resulting changes in blood pressure and renal perfusion. Renal artery stenosis can lead to renovascular hypertension, where reduced blood flow to the kidney triggers the release of renin. This cascade ultimately increases systemic blood pressure, which may present as headaches.

Patients with renal artery stenosis often experience secondary hypertension, which might not be adequately controlled and can manifest as headaches, particularly if blood pressure becomes significantly elevated. Such headaches might resemble migraines or tension headaches, depending on the patient’s response to increased blood pressure.

While acute kidney injury is another consequence of renal artery stenosis, it usually occurs later in the disease course or in certain precipitating conditions rather than as a common initial symptom. Recurrent urinary tract infections and oliguria are less directly related to renal artery stenosis as primary presenting symptoms. Oliguria may occur in a more advanced state or severe cases but is not typically one of the first complaints. Recurrent urinary tract infections are more associated with urological issues than with vascular problems.