Renovascular Hypertension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Renovascular Hypertension - Essay Example Renovascular hypertension may be also caused by malignant hypertension or renal artery stenosis. The most common cause of renovascular hypertension is artery stenosis, a narrowing of the artery pathway due to a buildup of plaque. The low blood flow to the kidneys results in an increase in the production of renin, which results in peripheral arteries to constrict and raising the body's blood pressure. Renovascular hypertension is evident in approximately 6 out of 100,000 people (Renovascular Hypertension 2006). Age of onset varies depending on the cause but is most common in men over the age of 45 with atherosclerosis, and in women under the age of 45 with fibromuscular dysplasia (Renovascular Hypertension 2006). Children with fibromuscular dysplasia are at high risk as are people whose diets are high in salt, heavy metals, suffer stress, or have a family history of renovascular hypertension. A patient that has unusually high blood pressure for an extended time that is difficult to control should be suspect for renovascular hypertension. In addition, the presence of abdominal, epigastric or flank bruit, a noticeable decrease in kidney size, or a recurrent pulmonary edema may also be noticed in a patient suffering from renovascular hypertension.