What is Renovascular Hypertension?

Causes

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 due to high cholesterol. This problem 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 abuse
Increasing age

Fibromuscular dysplasia is another cause of renal artery stenosis. It is often 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.

Symptoms

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

Exams and Tests

The health care provider may hear a "whooshing" noise, called a bruit, when placing a stethoscope over your belly area. The following blood tests may be done:

Cholesterol levels
Renin and aldosterone levels
BUN - blood test
Creatinine - blood test
Potassium - blood test
Creatinine clearance

Imaging tests may be done to see if the kidney arteries have narrowed. They include:

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition renography
Doppler ultrasound of the renal arteries
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Renal artery angiography

Treatment

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 doctor 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 doctor 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.

Possible Complications

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 to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you think you have high blood pressure. Call your provider if you have renovascular hypertension and symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. Also call if new symptoms develop.