Did you know that the kidneys are one of the most amazing organs in our body? They are like the 'filter system' in our body. The service that the kidneys do to filter out all the unnecessary waste and toxins from the body and keep the body healthy is priceless. So, these two precious kidneys need a good blood supply to do their job properly. Today, we are going to talk about the main blood vessel that brings that blood supply. We call this the 'Renal Artery'.
Simply put, what is this 'Renal Artery'?
Very simple. The word 'Renal' means 'pertaining to the kidneys'. An 'Artery' is a blood vessel that carries clean blood (oxygenated blood) from the heart to the rest of the body. Then 'Renal Artery' refers to the main blood vessel that carries blood directly from our heart to the kidneys.
Since we have two kidneys, we also have two renal arteries.
- The right renal artery supplies blood to the right kidney.
- The left renal artery, which supplies blood to the left kidney.
Think of it this way: our body's circulatory system is like a network of roads. So, the main blood vessel that starts from the heart, the aorta, is like a highway. The two main entrances to the city called the kidneys from that highway are the renal arteries.
What is the most important function of these blood vessels?
The main and only function of these blood vessels is to supply the kidneys with blood. But that is no small task. Imagine, every minute, about half a cup of blood passes through your kidneys through these two renal arteries. In a day, two healthy kidneys have the capacity to filter about 140 liters of blood. These two renal arteries are the ones that continuously supply this large amount of blood to the kidneys.
The kidneys take this incoming blood, filter it, and separate out the waste products and extra water from it. Then, they excrete those waste products as urine. The purified blood is then returned to the body through another blood vessel (the renal vein). So, you see, this entire process depends on the blood supply from the renal arteries.
What happens to this blood inside the kidney? Let's take a little trip and see?
Let's simply look at what happens next to the blood that enters the kidney from the renal artery. This is like a process that takes place inside a large factory.
1. Main portal: The renal artery enters the kidney at a point called the 'renal hilum'. We call this the 'main portal of the kidney'. Other blood vessels, nerves, etc. enter and exit the kidney through this portal.
2. Small filters (Filters):Once inside the kidney, this large blood vessel divides into many smaller blood vessels. Finally, this blood travels into millions of tiny filters called nephrons. There are about one million of these nephrons in a single kidney.
3. Glomeruli: Inside each nephron are tiny blood vessels called glomeruli. This is where waste products and extra water in the blood are filtered and passed on to the next section. However, important substances in the blood, such as proteins and red blood cells, do not pass through the filter and remain in the blood.
4. Filtered fluid: The separated waste products and water travel through small channels called tubules. During this journey, the nutrients and minerals in the fluid that the body needs are reabsorbed and added back into the blood.
5. End result: The remaining unwanted waste and water are formed as urine .
6. Return of the purified blood: Meanwhile, the filtered and purified blood leaves the kidney through the renal vein and begins to circulate throughout the body again.
For this entire process to work properly, the renal artery must be healthy and unobstructed.
What problems can occur with these important blood vessels?
Like other blood vessels in our body, renal arteries can also develop problems. The main problem is that these blood vessels become narrowed by the build-up of fat and cholesterol (we call this 'plaque'). This condition is medically called 'atherosclerosis'.
What happens here is like the way a water pipe, over time, becomes clogged with rust and dirt, causing the hole in the pipe to collapse.
When the renal artery narrows in this way, we call it 'Renal Artery Stenosis' . This is the most serious condition that affects these blood vessels.
What happens when the renal artery narrows?
Imagine what happens if you squeeze a water pipe? The water is forced out with a lot of pressure, right? That's what happens here. When the blood vessel narrows, the amount of blood going to the kidney decreases. At that time, the kidney thinks that the blood pressure in the body has decreased. In response, the kidney starts secreting hormones that increase blood pressure. This causes the blood pressure in the entire body to increase.
The table below lists some of the serious consequences that can occur due to 'renal artery stenosis'.
| Problem/situation | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | Reduced blood flow to the kidneys can cause high blood pressure in the body. Doctors are especially concerned about this if a young person develops high blood pressure or if they have high blood pressure that is difficult to control with regular medications. |
| Kidney Disease and Failure | When the kidneys do not receive adequate blood supply over a period of time, their function gradually decreases and can eventually lead to kidney failure. |
| Heart Failure | Constantly high blood pressure causes the heart to work harder. Over time, the heart becomes weak and can lead to heart failure. |
| Stroke | High blood pressure damages blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of stroke by causing them to burst or become blocked. |
How do we keep the blood vessels in our kidneys healthy?
Maintaining the health of these renal arteries is something we can do ourselves. Especially when the blood vessel is less than 60% blocked, this condition can be controlled with lifestyle and dietary changes.
Following the steps below is not only good for your kidneys, but also for your entire body.
| What to do | More information |
|---|---|
| A heart-healthy diet | Adopt a diet low in cholesterol, oil, salt, and sugar. Reduce fried foods, fatty foods, sugary drinks, and processed foods as much as possible. Include more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fiber-rich foods. |
| Exercising regularly | Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Anything like walking, running, or cycling is good. |
| Maintaining a healthy weight | Obesity is a major cause of blood vessel problems. Try to maintain a healthy weight for your height. |
| Controlling other diseases | If you have conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it is essential to control them properly under medical advice. |
| Avoiding smoking | Smoking is the biggest damage to blood vessels. Quit smoking and tobacco products completely. |
| If you have kidney disease | If you already have kidney disease, you may need to limit foods high in protein and potassium, as advised by your doctor. |
When should you see a doctor?
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, do not ignore them and see your doctor immediately. These may be signs of a kidney problem.
- Blood in the urine.
- Swelling (edema) of the body, especially the legs, ankles, and face.
- Difficulty urinating or having to urinate frequently.
- Nausea, vomiting, and weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Excessive fatigue or frequent headaches for no reason.
These symptoms are not always caused by a problem with the renal arteries. However, it is important to find out the cause and seek appropriate treatment.
Take-Home Message
- The renal artery is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the kidneys. It is essential for the healthy functioning of the kidneys.
- These blood vessels can become narrowed due to cholesterol and fat deposits (Renal Artery Stenosis). This is a serious condition.
- Renal artery narrowing can lead to conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart attack, and stroke.
- These blood vessels can be kept healthy by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and controlling diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- If you experience any kidney-related symptoms, do not self-treat and consult your doctor immediately for advice.
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