Renal Artery Stenosis Overview
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of either or both renal arteries, which are blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys from the aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart through arteries all over the body. The primary cause of renal artery stenosis is atherosclerosis – narrowing, clogging and hardening of the arteries. This condition develops when plaque collects within the inner wall of one or both renal arteries. Another cause of renal artery stenosis might be fibromuscular dysplasia, which is the abnormal development or growth of cells on the renal artery walls.