Renal hypertension, or renovascular hypertension, is a disorder caused by high blood pressure due to the narrowing of the vessels that carry blood to the kidneys, reports Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website. When these arteries narrow, less blood reaches the kidneys. In response, the kidneys release hormones that cause the patient's blood pressure to rise. The most common cause of this narrowing is hardening of the arteries due to high cholesterol levels. Typically, renal hypertension has no symptoms but if symptoms are evident, patients should seek treatment to lower blood pressure and widen the renal arteries.
Headache
One of the more common symptoms of renal hypertension is a headache, according to Drugs.com. The headache is typically mild, and develops due to the dilation of the arteries in the head caused by the high blood pressure. If the headache becomes severe, the patient may be suffering from a more serious form of renal hypertension called malignant hypertension. This is a rare complication of renal hypertension and must be treated immediately by medical professionals.
Confusion and Fatigue
Patients suffering from renal hypertension can experience fatigue and confusion, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. The confusion can be seen as the inability to remember recent events, trouble recognizing immediate surroundings, and difficulty with concentration. Fatigue, a general feeling of tiredness, can keep patients from performing daily activities.
Chest Pain and Irregular Heartbeat
Renal hypertension can affect the heart and blood vessels. Symptoms include chest pain and an irregular heartbeat, according to MedlinePlus. The high blood pressure damages the vessels near the heart and makes the heart work harder. As the blood pressure rises, the symptoms begin to worsen. The chest pain is described as a crushing pressure on the sternum. If the chest pain suddenly becomes more severe, the patient should seek emergency medical attention.
Blood in the Urine
In certain patients, renal hypertension can cause blood in the urine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Kidney damage causes blood to leak into the ureter and be voided when the patient urinates. The urine can contain small amounts of blood--microhematuria--or large amounts of blood--macrohematuria.
