A lack of blood supply to the kidneys
Your kidneys need a continuous supply of blood so they can filter out waste and excess fluid from the body. Renal artery disease, also known as renal artery stenosis, is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that bring blood to the kidneys.
Without treatment, renal artery disease can lead to kidney failure or other serious concerns such as high blood pressure. Our vascular and endovascular program is a recognized leader in the mid-Atlantic region for treating renal artery disease and other vascular conditions.
Renal artery disease is most often caused by a buildup of plaque in the renal arteries. The condition also can be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, in which the artery wall’s muscle grows abnormally and can block blood flow.
What are the symptoms of renal artery disease?
Renal artery disease may not cause any symptoms at first. As the condition gets worse, you may experience:
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Heart failure that doesn’t respond to normal treatment
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High blood pressure that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise
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Poor or abnormal kidney function
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Swelling in the body’s tissues because of fluid retention
Tests
Diagnosing renal artery disease starts with your doctor listening to the kidneys for sounds of a narrowed artery. Blood and urine tests can give more information about kidney function, and additional tests can help locate where your artery may be narrowed or blocked.
Arterial Duplex Ultrasound for Arms and Legs
Arterial duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.
Treatments
Lifestyle changes and medications may help restore blood flow to the kidneys. In severe cases of renal artery disease, you may need a procedure to widen or bypass a narrowed or blocked artery.
Renal Artery Stenting
Renal artery stenting is used to open blocked or narrowed arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.
Additional information
Vascular and endovascular program
Partner with a recognized leader in offering care ranging from straightforward vascular disease to the most complex vascular disorders.
Our providers
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Vascular Surgery
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Othman Mohamed-Asem Abdul-Malak, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Kristin M Brindisi, MSPAS PA
Vascular Surgery
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Stephanie Jean Cardace, MHS PA
Vascular Surgery
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Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC BSN MSN
Vascular Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Ashley Nicole Cullen, CRNP
Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiology & Vascular Surgery
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
General Surgery & Vascular Surgery
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Leigh Ann McQuay, MSN NP
Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Electrophysiology & Cardiovascular Disease
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Brittany Celina Montgomery, AGACNP-BC MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Lisa Parker, FNPBC MSN
Vascular Surgery & Pain Medicine
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Irina Shraga, ANPBC MSN
Vascular Surgery & Cardiovascular Disease
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Azeb Befekadu Tessema, FNP MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Asmeret Tewolde, FNP-C
Vascular Surgery
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D'Andre Beth Williams, MD
Vascular Surgery
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William Jhonghoon Yoon, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Richard A. Silva, MD
Vascular Surgery & General Surgery
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.