Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Renal hypertension, also known as renovascular hypertension, is high blood pressure caused by issues with the blood vessels of the kidneys. This can occur when a renal artery becomes narrowed, a condition called renal artery stenosis. This narrowing can lead to increased secretion of renin, an enzyme that plays a key role in the renin-angiotensin system, ultimately causing blood pressure to rise.12

This condition can lead to further damage to the kidneys and is a form of secondary hypertension. In severe cases, it can manifest as malignant hypertension, a medical emergency characterized by extremely high blood pressure and rapid organ damage. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying vascular issue, such as angioplasty or surgical repair, and managing blood pressure with medication.1342

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.