Learn About Renovascular Hypertension

What is the definition of Renovascular Hypertension?

Renovascular hypertension is high blood pressure due to narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. This condition is also called renal artery stenosis.

What are the alternative names for Renovascular Hypertension?

Renal hypertension; Hypertension - renovascular; Renal artery occlusion; Stenosis - renal artery; Renal artery stenosis; High blood pressure - renovascular

What are the causes of Renovascular Hypertension?

Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

The most common cause of renal artery stenosis is a blockage in the arteries. This problem most often occurs when a sticky, fatty substance called plaque builds up on the inner lining of the arteries, causing a condition known as atherosclerosis.

When the arteries that carry blood to your kidneys become narrow, less blood flows to the kidneys. The kidneys mistakenly respond as if your blood pressure is low. As a result, they release hormones that tell the body to hold on to more salt and water. This causes your blood pressure to rise.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Cocaine use
  • Increasing age

Fibromuscular dysplasia is another cause of renal artery stenosis. It is typically seen in women under age 50. It tends to run in families. The condition is caused by abnormal growth of cells in the walls of the arteries leading to the kidneys. This also leads to narrowing or blockage of these arteries.

What are the symptoms of Renovascular Hypertension?

People with renovascular hypertension may have a history of very high blood pressure that is hard to bring down with medicines.

Symptoms of renovascular hypertension include:

  • High blood pressure at a young age
  • High blood pressure that suddenly gets worse or is hard to control
  • Kidneys that are not working well (this can start suddenly)
  • Narrowing of other arteries in the body, such as to the legs, the brain, the eyes and elsewhere
  • Sudden buildup of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs (pulmonary edema)

If you have a dangerous form of high blood pressure called malignant hypertension, symptoms can include:

  • Bad headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Changes in vision
  • Nosebleeds
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Renovascular Hypertension?

High blood pressure caused by narrowing of the arteries that lead to the kidneys is often hard to control.

One or more medicines are needed to help control blood pressure. There are many types available.

  • Everyone responds to medicine differently. Your blood pressure should be checked often. The amount and type of medicine you take may need to be changed from time to time.
  • Ask your provider what blood pressure reading is right for you.
  • Take all medicines the way your provider prescribed them.

Have your cholesterol levels checked, and treated if it is needed. Your provider will help determine the right cholesterol levels for you based on your heart disease risk and other health conditions.

Lifestyle changes are important:

  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day (check with your provider before starting).
  • If you smoke, quit. Find a program that will help you stop.
  • Limit how much alcohol you drink: 1 drink a day for women, 2 a day for men.
  • Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat. Aim for less than 1,500 mg per day. Check with your provider about how much potassium you should be eating.
  • Reduce stress. Try to avoid things that cause stress for you. You can also try meditation or yoga.
  • Stay at a healthy body weight. Find a weight-loss program to help you if you need it.

Further treatment depends on what causes the narrowing of the kidney arteries. Your provider may recommend a procedure called angioplasty with stenting.

These procedures may be an option if you have:

  • Severe narrowing of the renal artery
  • Blood pressure that cannot be controlled with medicines
  • Kidneys that are not working well and are becoming worse

However, the decision about which people should have these procedures is complex, and depends on many of the factors listed above.

Who are the top Renovascular Hypertension Local Doctors?
Nephrology | Neurology | Hospital Medicine
Nephrology | Neurology | Hospital Medicine

Medstar Medical Group - Southern Maryland LLC

130 Hospital Rd, Suite 300, 
Prince Frederick, MD 
 1.5 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Utpal Dutta is a Nephrologist and a Neurologist in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Dr. Dutta has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Renovascular Hypertension. His top areas of expertise are Nephrosclerosis, Renovascular Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Acute Kidney Failure. Dr. Dutta is currently accepting new patients.

Vascular Surgery | General Surgery
Vascular Surgery | General Surgery

Calverthealth Medical Group, LLC

110 Hospital Rd, Suite 213, 
Prince Frederick, MD 
 1.5 mi

Joseph Wuamett is a Vascular Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Dr. Wuamett has been practicing medicine for over 16 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Renovascular Hypertension. His top areas of expertise are Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Peptic Ulcer, Carotid Artery Disease, Arterial Embolism, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More

Metropolitan Nephrology Associates PC

3261 Old Washington Rd, Suite 1020, 
Waldorf, MD 
 18.6 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Marc Brazie is a Nephrologist in Waldorf, Maryland. Dr. Brazie and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Renovascular Hypertension. His top areas of expertise are Renovascular Hypertension, Nephrosclerosis, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Chronic Kidney Disease, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Brazie is currently accepting new patients.

What are the possible complications of Renovascular Hypertension?

If your blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at risk for the following complications:

  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Stroke
  • Vision problems
  • Poor blood supply to the legs
When should I contact a medical professional for Renovascular Hypertension?

Make an appointment with your provider if you think you have high blood pressure.

Contact your provider if you have renovascular hypertension and symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. Also make contact if new symptoms develop.

How do I prevent Renovascular Hypertension?

Preventing atherosclerosis may prevent renal artery stenosis. Taking the following steps can help:

  • Lose weight if you are overweight.
  • Ask your provider about your smoking and alcohol use.
  • Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
  • Make sure your provider is monitoring your blood cholesterol levels.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Get regular exercise.
What are the latest Renovascular Hypertension Clinical Trials?
Quantitative Magnetization Transfer MRI for Evaluation of Renal Fibrosis

Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether or not an MRI technique (quantitative magnetization transfer or qMT) in narrowing human kidneys is feasible, reproducible, and predicts recovery.

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
Effect of Renal Denervation on Blood Pressure in Patients With Treatment Resistant Hypertension, End-stage Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis

Summary: The RDN-HD Study is a prospective, single-center feasibility study. All patients included will undergo endovascular ultrasound-based RDN (no sham group, no blinding). The purpose of the RDN-HD Study is to demonstrate that ultrasound-based RDN is safe in patients with TRH and ESRD hemodialysis and reduces 24-h ambulatory BP.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 10, 2024
Published By: Neil Grossman, MD, Saint Vincent Radiological Associates, Framingham, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Bakris GL, Sorrentino MJ. Systemic hypertension: mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 26.

Flack JM. Arterial hypertension. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 64.

Textor SC. Renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 47.

US Preventive Services Task Force, Krist AH, Davidson KW, Mangione CM, et al. Screening for hypertension in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;325(16):1650-1656. PMID: 33904861 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33904861/.