Symptoms
The most common sign of fibromuscular renal artery stenosis is high blood pressure. The condition often goes undiagnosed, however, until imaging tests of the arteries are performed for a separate reason.
Other symptoms may include:
- Tissue damage to the kidneys
- Rarely, chronic kidney failure
- Abnormal sound, known as a bruit, heard by physician when listening with a stethoscope around the patient’s abdomen
- Severe abdominal pain, if an aneurysm or tear occurs in the affected arteries
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of fibromuscular renal artery stenosis is not fully understood, and several theories have been proposed regarding possible causes, including smoking and genetic factors.
Although the condition has been observed in both men and women, women between the ages of 30 and 50 are at greater risk of developing the condition.