Hi Chris,
I am glad you are going to have some tests done. Sudden onset of hypertension can have many causes. You are most likely dealing with secondary hypertension. By ordering tests for renal artery stenosis, your doctor is exploring just one of several possibilities. More tests might be needed before any diagnosis can be arrived at. In some cases, the exact cause of secondary hypertension is never determined.
I wonder which tests you've had to date. I would hope you have been screened for a number of conditions. The test you are going to have should yield more information. The results might indicate a need for further testing. These types of tests are often inaccurate. The gold standard for diagnosing renal artery stenosis is angiography, which is invasive and does not come without risks. Mine indicated narrowed arteries, which could be clearly seen. Several months later, the arteries appeared normal. I believe my research about inflammation, dietary changes and supplementation reflecting this research, the antihypertensive drugs and my cholesterol lowering medication have all played a role in reversing this condition. Unfortunately, my hypertension remains unchanged. Other factors are now thought to be responsible. I might never know whether the kidney disease came first and resulted in hypertension, or whether I had hypertension initially before getting the kidney disease.
The important thing to remember is that one must keep the blood pressure controlled. It is good to know that some of these conditions can be improved or reversed through a healthy lifestyle, exercise and with the help of medication. I hope your doctor is able to pin down the cause of your sudden hypertension. Renal artery stenosis is usually caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or fibromuscular dysplasia, which is a disease of mostly younger women. There are many other possible causes of sudden hypertension. In some cases, if the cause is determined and treated (depending on what it is), the blood pressure normalizes.
Good luck with your tests. I hope you will get some answers. Please keep us posted.
flowergirl
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