What is renal artery stenosis?
It is a narrowing of one or more arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. Narrowed arteries impede the physiological process of oxygen-rich blood flow.
Adequate blood circulation is essential for the kidneys, otherwise they will not be able to filter waste products and will have difficulty removing excess fluid from the body. When the kidneys' ability to circulate blood is impaired, kidney tissue is damaged and blood pressure in the body increases.
In the early stages, the disease is asymptomatic, but as it progresses, signs are already noticeable.
In a large percentage of clinical cases, renal artery stenosis is diagnosed completely by chance, that is, during the examination of another disease or complaint.
The doctor suspects renal artery stenosis if:
- High blood pressure appears completely suddenly or worsens for no reason;
- A person under the age of 30 has high blood pressure;
- Blood pressure is detected in a person over the age of 50.
As renal artery stenosis progresses, the following symptoms appear:
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control;
- A murmur as blood flows through the narrowed blood vessel;
- Increased protein in the urine;
- Kidney function has worsened during treatment for high blood pressure;
- Swelling in the tissues and a large amount of fluid.
Renal artery stenosis develops for 2 main reasons:
- The renal artery becomes clogged with fat, cholesterol, and other harmful plaques;
- Fibromuscular dysplasia - when the muscle in the artery wall does not grow properly.
Risk factors include:
- Increasing age;
- High blood pressure;
- High cholesterol;
- Diabetes;
- Obesity;
- Smoking;
- A family history of heart disease;
- An inactive lifestyle.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/renal-artery-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352777
