You must be familiar with the term hypertension, but have you ever heard about renal hypertension? Hypertension is a medical condition in which the pressure of blood within the arteries and veins is too high. This can be due to multiple reasons and when the underlying cause is related to your kidneys, the problem is referred to as renal hypertension on renovascular hypertension. The problem is triggered by the narrowing of arteries that are responsible for carrying blood to your Kidneys. This is commonly referred to as renal artery stenosis and as a result of this, your Kidneys are deprived of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. As this happens, the kidneys start to react and produce hormones that lead to an increase in your blood pressure. Experts from the top nephrology surgery hospital in Indore suggest that the problem can be managed with proper care and treatment, provided you look out for the symptoms and seek immediate medical help.

Wondering what causes renal hypertension?

Well, there are several factors that may be responsible for it. As mentioned earlier, it is caused by the narrowing of the renal artery in either one or both of the kidneys. Two of the most common causes of renal hypertension are renal artery stenosis (RAS) and fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). The former is marked by a blockage in the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys and the latter refers to a condition marked by the twisting of blood vessels in the body. Both conditions are progressive in nature.

What are the symptoms that you need to look out for?

You will be surprised to know that in the majority of the cases the patient does not experience any major symptoms. This is the reason why the top nephrologists in Indore and across the globe, refer to it as Silent Killer. People suffering from renal hypertension usually experience the symptom when the problem has progressed to a great extent. Some of the common symptoms that may be experienced then, include:

• Persistent headaches with a throbbing sensation
• Confusion
• Blurry vision
• Traces of blood in the urine
• Nasal bleeds
• Angina or chest pain

It is important to note that not all patients suffering from renal hypertension experience the symptoms and as such it is very important to go for regular checkups especially if you lie in the high-risk category. Delay in diagnosis can lead to delay in treatment and the condition can progress, giving rise to potentially serious renal diseases.

Can renal hypertension affect children as well?

Export from the best hospital in Indore suggests that although the chances are very low, renal hypertension does affect small children and accounts for nearly 5 to 25 per cent of the cases of hypertension in them. Hence, it is advisable to take your little ones for regular checkups and watch out for the symptom. Early detection and treatment can help your little one lead a life of quality.

Can lifestyle changes help to manage renal hypertension?

Healthy lifestyle changes so only cannot help to manage renal hypertension, however, these can help to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and medication. Here are a few tips that you may find useful:

• Limit the amounts of sugar and salt as these are not good for your heart as well as your Kidneys. Sugar also promotes obesity, which, again, can increase the risks of renal stenosis.
• Follow an active lifestyle to make sure that your body is circulating blood healthily. Staying active helps to alleviate the risks of aortic stenosis as well.
• Keep an eye on the scale and make sure that your weight does not cross the healthy mark. Obesity has been linked with a variety of cardiovascular and renal diseases which can lead to renal hypertension.
• Limit the consumption of alcohol as heavy drinking can drastically impact your blood vessels and weaken them thereby increasing the risks of narrowing or blockage.
• Reference from smoking at all costs as cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can enter the bloodstream and damage your arteries.
• Make sure that you are getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night as this is important to relieve unnecessary strain from your body and boost your cardiovascular and renal system

To know more about renal hypertension or to explore your treatment options, you can consult our experts today.