Lifestyle and home remedies

As a part of your treatment plan for renal artery stenosis, your doctor may recommend making certain lifestyle changes:

• Maintain a healthy weight. When your weight increases, so does your blood pressure. If you're overweight, losing weight may help to lower your blood pressure.
• Restrict salt in your diet. Salt and salty foods cause your body to retain fluid. This may increase the volume of your blood and, in turn, increase your blood pressure.
• Be physically active. Being physically active on a regular basis may help you lose weight, lower your risk of heart disease, lower your cholesterol and lower your blood pressure. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have high blood pressure and haven't been active in the past.
• Reduce stress. Lowering stress levels may decrease your blood pressure.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Too much alcohol may increase your blood pressure.
• Don't smoke. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit.