Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Causes of Renal Artery Stenosis
• Part 2 of 3: Symptoms of Renal Artery Stenosis
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing Renal Artery Stenosis
• Tips
• Warnings

The two renal arteries supply blood to your kidneys, which are responsible for removing excess waste and fluids from your body and for secreting important hormones.Renal artery stenosis (SPA) is a condition characterized by narrowing of one or both arteries. This narrowing restricts blood flow to the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure, hypertension, and a host of other problems. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your risk of developing renal artery stenosis.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Causes of Renal Artery Stenosis

1. 1 Understand the role of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis - the buildup of plaque on one or two renal arteries that narrows and hardens the arteries - is by far the most common cause of renal artery stenosis. It can be plaque from fats, cholesterol, or calcium deposits.
   • Atherosclerosis is responsible for 80% of all known cases of spas.
2. 2 Be aware of the risks associated with fibromuscular dysplasia. Although most cases of renal artery stenosis are due to atherosclerosis, in some cases it can also develop due to fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). FMD is a disease that can lead to abnormal cell growth in the renal arteries. This abnormal growth can narrow the arteries.
3. 3 Be aware of demographic risk factors. Your age and gender play a role in determining your risk of renal artery stenosis.
   • Men and people over 50 years of age are at high risk of SPA disease due to atherosclerosis.
   • Women and people between the ages of 24 and 55 are at high risk of SPA disease due to fibromuscular dysplasia.
4. 4 Pay attention to your health history. For renal artery stenosis caused by atherosclerosis (which, remember, happens in 90% of all cases), your health history may reveal important risk factors. If you have had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, diabetes, or are obese, you are at high risk of SPA.
   • There is also evidence that a family history of early heart disease puts you at a higher risk of SPA.
5. 5 Redefine your lifestyle. Renal artery stenosis associated with atherosclerosis is also more likely to develop in people who smoke, drink, eat poorly, and do not exercise.
   • In particular, diets high in fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of spa disease.

Part 2 of 3: Symptoms of Renal Artery Stenosis

1. 1 Monitor your blood pressure. For many patients, the first sign of SPA is high blood pressure (hypertension). SPA is one of the many possible causes of high blood pressure, but it should be especially considered if you have any of the risk factors, if you do not have a family history of hypertension and do not respond to standard high blood pressure medications. When SPA results in high blood pressure, the condition is called renal vascular hypertension (PSH).
   • Blood pressure is represented by two numbers separated by a slash (for example, 120/80 mmHg). The first number is systolic pressure and the second is diastolic pressure. Technical hypertension is defined if the systolic pressure is above 140 mm Hg. Art., and diastolic above 90 mm Hg.
2. 2 Check your kidney function. Besides hypertension, another major symptom of renal artery stenosis is a decline in your kidney function. Poor kidney function is usually diagnosed in a doctor's office, but you may also be aware that your kidneys are not working as they should. These include:
   • Increase or decrease in urination
   • Headaches
   • Swelling in the ankles
   • Fluid retention
   • Drowsiness, tiredness, or trouble concentrating
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Dry or itchy skin
3. 3 Be aware that the spa is often asymptomatic. Most people with renal artery stenosis do not notice any symptoms at all until the spa becomes very severe. The best way to diagnose a spa is with a regular medical check-up.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing Renal Artery Stenosis

1. 1 See your doctor regularly. Get a physical exam once a year to make sure your blood pressure and kidney function appear to be normal. Because in most cases spas show no signs, this simple preventative measure is critical.
2. 2 Eat well. A nutritious diet can reduce the risk of developing renal artery stenosis. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. Eat healthy fats (such as olive oil, corn oil, safflower oil, and canola oil) in moderation. Also, limit your intake of the following items:
   • salt and foods high in sodium (such as canned food, savory snacks, and frozen meals)
   • sweet foods (such as desserts and many baked goods)
   • saturated fats (such as those found in red meat, whole milk, butter, or lard)
   • trans fatty acids (such as in packaged baked goods, fried chips, or donuts)
   • hydrogenated vegetable oils (such as margarine)
3. 3 Go in for sports. You don't have to do anything extremely stressful; a good place to start is with a 30 minute walk three or four times a week. But moderate exercise can help you reduce your risk of developing SPA.
   • Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if you have health problems or are obese.
   • If your schedule is very busy, you can include exercise in small chunks of time: a ten-minute walk during a break, five minutes of jogging in place several times a day, etc.
4. 4 Maintain a healthy weight. Having a body mass index (BMI) in a healthy range is very important for overall health as it will reduce the risk of developing renal artery stenosis. The diet and exercise information above will help you lose or maintain your weight, but you also need to consult with your doctor about the best weight loss options for your particular case.
5. 5 Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk of developing SPA, so if you smoke, quit.
   • The tossing process can be tricky, so consider a variety of foods and medications that may help you. Talk to your doctor about the best options for your particular case and look for support groups in your area.
6. 6 Limit alcohol consumption. High alcohol consumption can increase your risk, so limit your intake to one drink per day, no more.
7. 7 Reduce stress. Everyone has stress from time to time, but you can reduce the impact by staying calm, exercising regularly, practicing yoga or tai chi, listening to soothing music, and taking time to pray and meditate regularly.

Tips

• If your doctor suspects you have renal artery stenosis, he or she can most likely refer you for blood and urine tests, kidney ultrasound, and / or magnetic resonance arteriogram. These tests will be able to identify the presence of a spa.

Warnings

• If you have been diagnosed with renal artery stenosis (or suspect that you have renal artery stenosis), you should seek immediate medical attention. If left untreated, you can develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral joint disease (CRD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), strokes, and other potentially fatal medical problems.