Overview

What Is Renal Artery Disease?

The renal arteries are blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys. Your kidneys help control blood pressure and eliminate waste products from your body. The arteries can become blocked reducing blood flow to the kidneys. The arteries can become blocked, reducing blood flow to the kidneys. Most artery blockages occur because of atherosclerosis, a slow process in which deposits of fat, cholesterol and calcium—also known as plaque—build up inside an artery. When artery blockages occur in the renal arteries, the kidneys are unable to function properly, causing renal artery disease.

Fibromuscular dysplasia, abnormal tissue growth on the inside of the renal arteries, can also cause renal artery disease. Aneurysms, a weakened, bulging part of the artery, can also occur and result in rupture of the artery.

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Related Resources

  • Renal Scan (PDF): Learn about the preparations and care needed before and after this procedure. English | Spanish

  • Renal Imaging with LasixⓇ: Nuclear Medicine (PDF): Learn about the preparation and care needed before and after this procedure. English | Spanish
  • Renal Vascular Disease: Renal vascular disease affects the blood flow into and out of the kidneys.
  • Renal Angiogram: A renal angiogram is an imaging test to look at the blood vessels in your kidneys.