Hypertension and renal artery disease affect the heart, brain, blood vessels, and kidneys. They can lead to serious problems if left untreated so it is critical to work with an experienced vascular surgeon if you are experiencing symptoms of hypertension, such as blood spots in the eyes, facial flushing, and dizziness. If high blood pressure has been difficult to control with medication and lifestyle changes, your physician may recommend working with a vascular surgeon for more advanced treatment.
Understanding Renal Artery Disease
Patients with unusually high blood pressure may have renal artery disease, a condition where there is significant buildup of plaque in the arteries connected to the kidneys. Plaque buildup can cause stiffening and narrowing of the arteries that can cause high blood pressure, conges-tive heart failure, and kidney failure.
Risk factors for renal artery disease include diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, a family history of renal artery disease, and being over the age of 50. People who smoke and those who have a family history of heart disease are also at risk for developing this condition. Without ap-propriate treatment, renal artery disease can cause kidney problems and eventually lead to kid-ney failure.
Renal Artery Disease Treatment Options
Patients with narrowed arteries may need to undergo surgery to open up the artery and restore proper circulation. Procedures include:
- Renal angioplasty – involves placing a small catheter carrying a tiny ballon into the kidney ar-tery using. The expanding balloon compresses the plaque against the artery walls to restore proper circulation.
- Endarterectomy – removal of the diseased inner lining of the artery and plaque deposits
- Bypass procedure – grafting a portion of another artery or vein to create a detour around the blocked area of the renal artery. This typically involves creating a bypass from the abdominal aorta to the kidney.
Learn more about hypertension and renal artery disease by scheduling your appointment at our Los Angeles or Glendale office today.
