Hi,
High BP is of two types, Primary and Secondary. Secondary
hypertension is one which has a specific 'cause' like renal or hormonal impairment. Primary is just there, like in many middle or old age people. Since you are relatively young and your BP has come to light a little abruptly, your doctor very rightly subjected you to a renal Doppler.
Renal artery narrowing is a major trigger for development of
hypertension. This type of
hypertension sometimes proves difficult to control and Tekturna [aliskiren] is a recent medicinal class specifically to control renal or High Renin
hypertension.
If renal artery stenosis is confirmed on MRA, it can be very well treated with a procedure called Renal Angioplasty with Stent insertion, this is just like what they do in a heart artery in a
heart attack. Successful opening of a renal artery stenosis many times cure the blood pressure. Also it prevents the kidney from getting damaged.
Calf
pain could be non specific. However in a smoker it may herald blockage of leg arteries. In such a case it may be advisable to go for a leg artery Doppler too, and if positive an MRA of legs.
Take care,
Apurva
