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Three-Pronged Approach to Renal Artery Stenosis Treatment in Northern California

The narrowing of blood vessels supplying your kidneys is called renal artery stenosis. In most cases, narrowing (stenosis) is caused by the buildup of fatty plaque along the inner wall of these blood vessels. If renal stenosis is not treated, it can lead to kidney damage. Treatment aims to preserve kidney function and prevent the condition from getting worse. 

Find a Doctor at Dignity Health North State who can provide a detailed explanation of renal artery stenosis, how it is affecting you, and your options for renal artery stenosis treatment in Northern California.

Want to learn more about your heart health? Take our online risk assessment and talk to your doctor about the results.

 

Treating Renal Artery Stenosis at Dignity Health North State

For best treatment outcomes, our doctors recommend a three-pronged approach: lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery when necessary.

Lifestyle changes that can help slow your renal artery stenosis include: 

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking

Your Dignity Health North State doctor may also recommend one or more of these types of medications: 

  • Blood thinners (such as aspirin) — to allow your blood to move easier through narrowed or partially blocked arteries.
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs — to stop additional plaque from building up in your arteries.
  • Diuretics — to help your kidneys get rid of excess water.
  • ACE (angiotensin converting enzymes) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) — to help lower blood pressure and also preserve your kidney functions. 

Surgery may be necessary if your renal artery stenosis is severe or has not improved with medication. Surgical intervention is also recommended for renal artery stenosis caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. Surgical options include: 

  • Angioplasty — to flatten plaque deposits against the inner artery walls, opening blocked arteries. Your surgeon may also place renal stents in your kidney arteries to help hold them open.
  • Endarterectomy — to remove the lining of your renal arteries.

 

Exploring Your Options

Your doctor will recommend an individualized treatment plan based on the severity of your renal artery disease, your overall health, and your personal preferences. 

Be sure to discuss the risks, benefits, and likely outcomes of all available treatment options, including medication. Ask about the goal of each treatment, and how you can best avoid risks of complications.

 

How Can You Prevent Renal Artery Stenosis

You can lower your chances of developing renal artery disease by maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet. This will help keep healthy not only your kidney arteries, but also other blood vessels supplying your major organs, like your heart. 

Our medical experts define health as more than just the absence of disease. We believe best outcomes are achieved by providing for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our patients. Learn about our holistic approach to medicine.

Dignity Health North State doctors provide unparalleled care and individualized therapy plans necessary for renal artery stenosis treatment in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.