Renal artery stenosis itself doesn't cause symptoms. But if it gets worse, it may cause high blood pressure. Or it may affect how well your kidneys work. Then you may have symptoms of kidney disease, such as shortness of breath or fluid buildup that causes swelling in your legs and feet.

Several things may make your doctor think that you have renal artery stenosis. These include blood tests that show that your kidneys don't work as well as they should. Or maybe you were diagnosed with high blood pressure at an early age. Or maybe medicine doesn't lower your blood pressure.

The most common cause of renal artery stenosis is a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. It can happen in either or both renal arteries. This is often called "hardening of the arteries," or atherosclerosis. The buildup can narrow the artery and reduce blood flow to the kidneys.

Renal artery stenosis can also be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. This is a condition in which some of the cells that line the renal arteries grow or don't develop the right way. This growth can cause the arteries to narrow.

You may take medicines to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of blood clots. You can also follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Eating heart-healthy foods, being active, and not smoking can help keep the renal and other arteries in your body healthy.

Certain people may have an angioplasty or surgery to improve blood flow to the kidneys. This treatment is not commonly done.

When you have renal artery stenosis, you may have the same narrowing in other arteries in your body, like the coronary arteries of your heart. This narrowing can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Treatment for renal artery stenosis helps reduce damage to the kidneys and also helps reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Caring for yourself when you have renal artery stenosis means doing things that will help slow or prevent it from getting worse.

Taking medicines and having a heart-healthy lifestyle can help keep the renal and other arteries in your body healthy. Taking these steps can also help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

• If you smoke, try to quit. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good. Avoid secondhand smoke too.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. These foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. You limit foods that aren't so good for your heart, like sodium (salt), alcohol, and sugar.
• Be active. Work with your doctor to design an exercise program that's right for you.
• Stay at a weight that's healthy for you. Talk to your doctor if you need help losing weight.
• Manage other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. You can use heart-healthy lifestyle changes along with medicines to manage these conditions.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19, the flu, and pneumonia.

If you have chronic kidney disease, follow a diet that's easy on your kidneys. A dietitian can help you make an eating plan with the right amounts of salt and protein. You may also need to watch how much fluid you drink each day.