Renal artery stenosis

Rental artery stenosis is a narrowing of an artery that supplies blood to a kidney. It can lead to high blood pressure or kidney failure.

Risk factors

In older people, narrowing of the renal artery is usually caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a process in which deposits called plaque build up in the arteries, decreasing blood flow. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of renal artery stenosis.

In younger people, renal artery stenosis usually is caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. Fibromuscular dysplasia is a disorder in which fibrous tissue grows in the wall of the renal artery and narrows it. It particularly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40.

Symptoms

Renal artery stenosis usually has no symptoms. It usually is diagnosed when trying to find the cause of kidney failure or high blood pressure that is difficult to control.

More information

To learn more about renal artery stenosis, visit www.davita.com.