Loading icon
Health Information Center

Renal Artery Stenosis

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Renal Artery Stenosis

Definition

Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing of one or both arteries of the kidneys. This lowers the amount of blood flowing to one or both kidneys. Without treatment, it can lead to kidney failure.

The Kidney and its Main Blood Vessels.

Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=24532453ac00076.jpgKidney and Blood VesselsNULLjpgKidney and Blood VesselsNULL\\filer01\Intellect\images\ac00076.jpgCopyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.133NULL2002-10-01329391Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

The kidneys control blood pressure. If blood cannot get to the kidneys, then some hormones get out of balance. This makes blood pressure higher.

The two most common causes are:

  • Atherosclerosis —Plaque builds up in the arteries and blocks blood flow
  • Fibromuscular dysplasia—Muscle and tissue thicken on the artery wall and harden into rings that block blood flow

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of renal artery stenosis are:

  • High blood pressure
  • A blocked blood vessel in another part of the body
  • Past stroke or heart attack
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol

Symptoms

Most people do not have symptoms. Those who do may have:

  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Problems breathing
  • Chest pain

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will include a blood pressure check.

Blood and urine tests will be done to look for certain proteins and other things that point to this health problem.

Pictures may be taken of the kidneys. This can be done with:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to lower blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Options are:

  • Lifestyle changes, such as exercising, eating a healthful diet, and not smoking
  • Medicines to lower blood pressure
  • Surgery, such as:
    • Percutaneous angioplasty—using a balloon or stent to open the artery and improve blood flow
    • Bypass—rebuilding a blood vessel by going around the blockage
    • Nephrectomy—removing one or both kidneys

Prevention

There are no known methods to prevent renal artery stenosis.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Renal artery stenosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/renal-artery-stenosis.
  • Renal artery stenosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/renal-artery-stenosis.

Contributors

  • Mark S. Itzkowitz, MD, JD
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.