Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis (RAS), or renal artery disease, is a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your kidneys. You have two renal arteries that supply blood to your right and left kidneys. One or both of these arteries can develop stenosis. Renal artery stenosis can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Who gets renal artery stenosis?

People with atherosclerosis are at the highest risk for renal artery stenosis. Atherosclerosis develops when plaque (a sticky substance mostly made of fat and cholesterol) builds up on artery walls. Risk factors for RAS include:

• Diabetes.
• Family history of cardiovascular disease.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Obesity.
• Older age (men and people assigned male at birth/AMAB over 45 and women and people assigned female at birth/AFAB over 55).
• Poor diet (high in sodium, fat and sugar).
• Smoking.

What’s the link between renal artery stenosis and peripheral artery disease?

RAS affects the renal arteries that carry blood to your kidneys. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your arms and legs. Atherosclerosis is usually the cause of both. Studies show that between 14% to 35% of people with PAD also have RAS.

Research also suggests that chronic kidney disease, which can result from RAS, may put people at a higher risk for PAD. People with both chronic kidney disease and PAD are at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, limb loss and other serious health complications.