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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer." It has no specific symptoms, but over time stresses the major organs in the body and is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Blood pressure elevation with renal artery stenosis is no different; however, the decreased blood flow the kidney(s) over time may cause damage to the kidney(s). Decreased renal function (azotemia), may present with symptoms of fatigue, malaise, and/or slight confusion due to a gradual buildup of waste products in the body.

The healthcare provider may be concerned about renal artery stenosis if high blood pressure has its initial presentation in a person older than age 50 or in a person under the age of 30.

The physical examination may give a clue if a bruit (a rustling sound produced by turbulent blood flow) is heard when the healthcare provider listens to the abdomen. If an artery is narrowed, it may cause turbulence as blood flows through the narrowing, causing a noise, like the rapids in a river. This noise is called a bruit.

Renal artery stenosis may also be considered a cause of elevated blood pressure if multiple anti-hypertension medications have failed to control high blood pressure.

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