Which finding most supports renal artery stenosis as a cause of secondary hypertension?

Which finding most supports renal artery stenosis as a cause of secondary hypertension?

• A. Abdominal bruit
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Low BUN
• D. Hypernatremia

Answer: (A)

Renovascular hypertension stems from reduced blood flow to the kidneys, which triggers renin release and activation of the angiotensin-aldosterone system, driving high blood pressure. The most supportive finding is an abdominal bruit, produced by turbulent flow through a narrowed renal artery. This vascular sound points to an underlying stenosis causing the secondary hypertension. Hyperkalemia is not a typical clue here because aldosterone tends to promote potassium loss, not retention. A low BUN isn’t characteristic of renovascular disease, and hypernatremia isn’t a specific indicator either. The abdominal bruit directly reflects the vascular abnormality causing the hypertension.

Renovascular hypertension stems from reduced blood flow to the kidneys, which triggers renin release and activation of the angiotensin-aldosterone system, driving high blood pressure. The most supportive finding is an abdominal bruit, produced by turbulent flow through a narrowed renal artery. This vascular sound points to an underlying stenosis causing the secondary hypertension.

Hyperkalemia is not a typical clue here because aldosterone tends to promote potassium loss, not retention. A low BUN isn’t characteristic of renovascular disease, and hypernatremia isn’t a specific indicator either. The abdominal bruit directly reflects the vascular abnormality causing the hypertension.