Treatment:

High blood pressure caused by narrowing of the arteries that lead to the kidneys (renovascular hypertension) is often difficult to control.

Medications are needed to help control blood pressure. There are a variety of high blood pressure medications available. You and your doctor will decide which type is best for you. often more than one type may be needed.

• Everyone responds to medicine differently. Your blood pressure should be checked frequently. The amount and type of medicine you take may need to be changed from time to time.
• Ask your doctor what blood pressure measurement is appropriate for you.
• Take all medicines in the exact way your doctor prescribed them.

Have your cholesterol checked and treated. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or hardening of the arteries somewhere else in your body, your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol should be lower than 100 mg/dL.

Lifestyle changes are important:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day (check with your doctor before starting).
• If you smoke, quit. Find a program that will help you stop.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink: 1 drink a day for women, 2 a day for men.
• Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat. Aim for less than 1,500 mg per day. Check with your doctor about how much potassium you should be eating.
• Reduce stress. Try to avoid things that cause stress for you. You can also try meditation or yoga.
• Stay at a healthy body weight. Find a weight-loss program to help you, if you need it.

Further treatment depends on what causes the narrowing of the kidney arteries. For example, your doctor may recommend a procedure called angioplasty with stenting if you have this condition and it is not well-managed with medications. For information, see: Stent.

These procedures may be an option if you have:

• Severe narrowing of the renal artery
• Blood pressure that cannot be controlled with medicines
• Kidneys that are not working well and are becoming worse.

However, experts are not certain which patients should have these procedures.

Complications:

If your blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at risk for the following complications:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Stroke
• Vision problems
• Poor blood suppy to the legs

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you think you have high blood pressure.

Call your health care provider if you have renovascular hypertension and symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. Also call if new symptoms develop.