Symptoms

Renal artery stenosis often doesn't cause any signs or symptoms until it's advanced. The condition may be discovered incidentally during testing for something else. Your doctor may also suspect a problem if you have:

• High blood pressure that begins suddenly or worsens without explanation
• High blood pressure that begins before age 30 or after age 50

As renal artery stenosis progresses, other signs and symptoms may include:

• High blood pressure that's hard to control
• A whooshing sound as blood flows through a narrowed vessel (bruit), which your doctor hears through a stethoscope placed over your kidneys
• Elevated protein levels in the urine or other signs of abnormal kidney function
• Worsening kidney function during treatment for high blood pressure
• Fluid overload and swelling in your body's tissues
• Treatment-resistant heart failure

When to seek medical advice

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you.