Renal artery stenosis, also known as renal artery disease is a narrowing of arteries that carry blood to one or both of the kidneys.
Who is at risk for renal artery stenosis?
Most often seen in older people with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), renal artery stenosis can worsen over time and often leads to hypertension (high blood pressure) and kidney damage. Other risks include diabetes, a family history of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease or renal artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, neurofibromatosis (a genetic disorder that disrupts cell growth in your nervous system) and smoking.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of renal artery stenosis can include high blood pressure that can’t be controlled by medications and lifestyle changes. Other symptoms can include fluid retention or congestive heart failure. In severe cases, renal artery disease can lead to kidney failure, which may cause weakness, shortness of breath and fatigue. In some cases, renal artery disease doesn’t cause any symptoms.
