Renal Hypertension: 11 Signs You Must Know

Renal hypertension is also known as renovascular hypertension, it is a blood pressure disorder where the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys become narrow, and as a result the blood pressure through these vessels increases.

What are the causes of renal hypertension?

When the arteries that supply blood to the kidney get narrowed or blocked, it is then than renal hypertension occurs. It can cause the kidney to release specific hormones that signal the body to retain water and sodium. This can put additional pressure on the blood vessels which leads to increase in blood pressure. It can also be caused by atherosclerosis which is characterized by hardening of the arteries. Renal hypertension can also happen  because of improper development of the arteries.

Symptoms of renal hypertension include:

1. Feeling confused

2. Blurred vision

3. Regular headaches

4. Bleeding from the nose

5. Gradual decline in kidney function

6. Possible long-term damage to the kidney

7. Feeling lethargic and drowsy

8. Loss of appetite

9. Dryness in skin

10. Cramps in the muscles

Most of the people suffering from renal hypertension may never experience any of these symptoms. However, high blood pressure is a serious condition, a major reason being that it has no symptoms, so organ damage can occur slowly without being recognized. Renal hypertension can cause chronic kidney disease. Even chronic kidney disease does not show any symptoms, until the condition has reached an advanced stage.

As renal hypertension usually causes no symptoms, it is likely that a doctor may suspect this condition only when a patient has uncontrolled high blood pressure even after taking proper medications or has unexplained chronic kidney disease.

You don’t need to worry as renal hypertension is certainly treatable but what you can always do is, follow some preventive measures. If you are a smoker, then you must quit smoking, do not take too much stress, limit your sugar and salt intake. Also, you can practice yoga or meditate, to keep your blood pressure under control.