What is renal artery stenosis?
Renal artery stenosis is when one or more of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys become narrower.
This narrowing can have several causes. The most common cause is atherosclerosis, where plaques, made up of fatty materials and other substances, form in the walls of arteries. Renal artery stenosis can cause high blood pressure and lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What are the causes of renal artery stenosis?
he most common cause of renal artery stenosis is atherosclerosis. This narrows the artery and reduces blood flow through it. Certain factors can increase your risk of atherosclerosis, including:
- Age. If you are over 65 you have an increased risk
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Family history of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels
Other, less common causes of renal artery stenosis include:
- Fibromuscular dysplasia. This condition causes thickening of the walls of the arteries. If this happens in the arteries supplying the kidneys it can cause renal artery stenosis.
- Other diseases that affect the arteries, such as Takayasu’s arteritis.
What are the symptoms of renal artery stenosis?
Symptoms will depend on how seriously blood flow to the kidneys is affected. In most cases renal artery stenosis will have no symptoms.
In cases where there are symptoms these can include:
- High blood pressure
How is renal artery stenosis diagnosed?
Your doctor will look at your medical and family history for any risk factors, test results and symptoms associated with renal artery stenosis. They may do further tests to look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to renal artery stenosis.
If you doctor thinks you may have a renal artery stenosis, they will use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds blood makes as it passes through the kidney arteries in your abdomen. If there is a narrowing this can sometimes be heard through the stethoscope.
Urine and blood tests may also be done by your doctor to look at your kidney function.
To diagnose a renal artery stenosis a medical image is needed. This can include a special ultrasound, CT or MRI scan. In some cases, a contrast may need to be injected to see the arteries supplying the kidney better.
What are the treatments for renal artery stenosis?
Treatments will depend on the cause of the renal artery stenosis and how much this has narrowed the artery.
Some patients may be monitored by their doctor and have regular medical images. If you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol you will be given medicines and suggested lifestyle changes to reduce these, along with medicines to try and prevent the artery from narrowing further.
Some patients need surgery to widen the narrowed artery. This is usually done by a procedure called an angioplasty. This involves inserting a narrow flexible tube into a blood vessel, usually in your groin, wrist or arm. Using an X-ray guided video your doctor will find the arteries. A small balloon is then inserted into the narrowed artery and inflated to stretch out the artery and restore the blood flow. In some cases, a metal mesh tube called a stent is placed into the artery to keep it open.
Renal artery stenosis complications
Persistent high blood pressure can put strain on, and be harmful to, your organs, including your kidneys, heart and brain.
If one of the arteries supplying the kidneys is narrowed, less oxygen rich blood can get to the kidney tissue. This can harm your kidney health and patients may develop chronic kidney disease. In some cases, this can progress to kidney failure, but this is uncommon.
References
Rout, P. Rauf, N. and Bokhari, S. R.A. Renal Artery Stenosis [online]. 2026. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: <PMID: 28613469>
Zhang, Z. Renal Artery Stenosis and Occlusion [online]. MSD Manual, Merck & Co, Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA; Feb 2025. [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: Renal Artery Stenosis and Occlusion - Nephrology - MSD Manual Professional Edition
NHS. Atherosclerosis [online]. Nhs.uk, England; Jan 2023 [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: Atherosclerosis - NHS
Willacy, H. Patient.info, Navigate Health Ltd: London, UK; Jun 2023 [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: Renovascular Disease: Symptoms, and Treatment | Doctor
Ferguson, C. M. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, and Percussion of the Abdomen [online]. 1990. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths. [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: <PMID: 21250260>
NHS. Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion [online]. Nhs.uk, England; Oct 2025 [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: Coronary angioplasty and stent insertion - NHS
NHS. High blood pressure [online]. Nhs.uk, England; Jul 2024 [Accessed 16 March 2026]. Available from: High blood pressure - NHS
Reviewed April 2026 by reviewed by Professor Adnan Sharif, Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician Honorary Professor
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