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Blockage of the Renal Arteries

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Oct 2023
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Your kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs that make urine (pee), balance your body’s water and mineral levels, and filter waste out of your blood.

The Urinary Tract

The Urinary Tract

What is a blockage of the renal arteries?

The renal arteries are blood vessels that carry blood to your kidneys. A blockage means the renal arteries become narrowed or clogged so blood can't get through.

What causes a blockage of the renal arteries?

Your renal arteries can be blocked when:

A blood clot usually affects only one kidney. Narrowing of the arteries usually affects both kidneys.

What are the symptoms of blocked renal arteries?

How can doctors tell if my renal arteries are blocked?

They'll also do blood and urine tests to see how well your kidneys are working.

How do doctors treat a blockage of the renal arteries?

Doctors do different treatments depending on what caused the blockage:

During angioplasty, doctors guide a thin tube through your groin to your blocked artery so they can widen it using a tiny balloon or a small wire tube called a stent.

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