Renal Artery Disease

Need Next-Generation Treatment for Renal Artery Disease? Orange County Trusts Hoag.

Through our Vascular Program at Hoag’s Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart and Vascular Institute, our patient-focused team of subspecialized physicians offers comprehensive cardiovascular care, including treatment for serious, multifaceted conditions like carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and renal artery disease. Our world-class specialists are breaking new ground every day in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of vascular conditions.

Read on for what you need to know about renal artery disease, including symptoms, causes, risk factors and more. And if you need cutting-edge treatment for vascular conditions in Orange County, nobody knows the cardiovascular system like Hoag. Contact us today through our online form or by calling 949-764-5871.

What is Renal Artery Disease?

Renal artery stenosis, also called RAS or renal artery disease, is a type of vascular disease in which the renal arteries that carry blood to the kidneys become clogged, narrowed or stiff. This carries the risk of life-altering kidney damage and kidney failure, potentially requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Each of your kidneys has a separate renal artery that supplies blood from the heart to the kidneys. When the renal arteries are healthy, blood flows freely through these critical blood vessels.

In some cases, however, certain cardiovascular conditions or the buildup of a waxy substance called plaque on the blood vessel walls can cause the renal arteries to become narrowed. In severe cases, these issues can completely block blood flow, depriving the kidneys of oxygenated blood that can cause a range of potentially serious health issues.

What Causes Renal Artery Disease?

There are a number of different factors, issues and medical conditions that can cause or contribute to renal artery disease. These include:

• Atherosclerosis and high cholesterol: Most cases of renal artery disease are caused by atherosclerosis, a condition in which a waxy combination of fat and cellular byproducts called plaque begins to build up in the arteries — including the renal arteries in some cases. Over time, plaque buildup can begin to severely narrow the renal arteries, hindering blood flow to the kidneys. That can impact the ability of the kidneys to function.
• High blood pressure, also called hypertension
• Smoking tobacco
• Diabetes
• Genetics, as those with a family history of peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease or renal artery disease are more likely to develop renal artery disease
• Fibromuscular Dysplasia: renal artery stenosis can be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, a rare, non-inflammatory vascular disease characterized by abnormal cell growth on the walls of arteries.
• Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in nerve fibers. Those with the condition are at higher risk of renal artery disease

Visit this link to learn more about how vascular disease is diagnosed at Hoag.

What are the Symptoms of Renal Artery Disease?

The symptoms of renal artery disease can be subtle and may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly. In some cases, people with renal artery disease may have no symptoms at all.

In some cases, however, there are noticeable symptoms. These may include:

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Narrowing of the renal arteries due to renal artery stenosis can sometimes lead to high blood pressure, or hypertension, that’s difficult to control with medication.

However, because there are a variety of more common causes and risk factors for high blood pressure, renal artery disease is often overlooked as a cause. Renal artery stenosis may be explored as a potential cause of high blood pressure if:

• Elevated blood pressure fails to respond to more than three types of medication
• The person has a history of high cholesterol, atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease
• The person has no family history of hypertension
• High blood pressure first develops over age 50.

Reduced Kidney Function

Many of the symptoms of renal artery disease are the result of a gradual loss of kidney function. Symptoms of renal artery disease associated with reduced kidney function include:

• Fluid retention, which can lead to swelling in the legs, hands or face
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Other Symptoms of Renal Artery Disease

Some of the kidney failure-related symptoms of renal artery disease include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Concentration problems
• Dark or dry skin
• Unexplained muscle cramps

Are There Any Medical Complications of Renal Artery Disease?

Most cases of renal artery disease are due to atherosclerosis, a condition involving plaque buildup on the walls of major arteries. Many people with renal artery disease also have atherosclerosis in other parts of the body, which can put them at greater risk for a variety of cardiovascular conditions.

Serious medical complications of renal artery disease, or conditions related to atherosclerosis, may include:

• Chronic kidney disease: Also known as Chronic Renal Disease or CKD, chronic kidney disease is characterized by the loss of kidney function over time, which can then progress into kidney failure.
• Coronary artery disease or CAD, which involves plaque buildup on the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle, is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.
• Peripheral arterial disease or PAD, which involves plaque-related narrowing of the arteries that supply the legs and arms, though issues in the legs are more common.
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Flash pulmonary edema (FPE), a condition involving fluid collecting in the lungs

Who is Most at Risk to Develop Renal Artery Disease?

The most common cause of renal artery stenosis by far is atherosclerosis, a condition involving plaque buildup in the renal arteries.

In some cases, renal artery stenosis can be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. Fibromuscular dysplasia is a vascular disorder characterized by abnormal cell growth on the artery walls​​. This abnormal growth can eventually create blockages within the renal arteries, which can lead to renal artery stenosis. That puts those with fibromuscular dysplasia at greater risk to develop renal artery disease.

Other risk factors for renal artery disease include:

• Having high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Having high cholesterol
• Eating a diet that’s high in fats
• Being over 50
• Not getting very much cardiovascular exercise
• Smoking tobacco
• Diabetes
• Having a family history of atherosclerosis, renal artery disease, coronary artery disease or kidney failure

Is There Any Way to Reduce My Risk of Developing Renal Artery Disease?

Considering the severe potential complications and symptoms of renal artery disease, lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of renal artery disease. This may include:

• Seeking prompt medical attention for issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and other issues and follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Get regular exercise
• Eat a diet low in cholesterol, salt and fat
• Quit smoking​​​​

Explore the range of treatment and management options for vascular disease available at Hoag.

From Long Beach to Dana Point, Orange County Chooses Hoag for Advanced Vascular Care.

Our Vascular Program team is committed to delivering accurate diagnosis patients need, and the next-generation vascular procedures every resident of Orange County with vascular conditions deserves.

From care for peripheral artery disease and varicose veins to advanced surgical treatment options that promote faster recovery, Hoag is dedicated to delivering the area’s most compassionate, patient-focused and comprehensive care for vascular disease.

If you need renal artery care, Orange County turns to Hoag. Contact us today through our online form or by calling 949-764-5871.