What is a Renal Scan for High Blood Pressure? Reason(s) for the Examination:
A renal scan (for high blood pressure) is used to determine if there is a narrowing in the artery to your kidney(s) causing your high blood pressure.
Length of Exam:
One-day procedure: (30 minutes study, come back 3-4 hours later, and then 1.5 hour study); Two-day procedure: (1.5 hour study, return another day for a 30 minute study).
Preparation:
Drink plenty of fluids, to make sure that you are not dehydrated during the exam. Call us when scheduling the study to determine what medications you should NOT be taking prior to the examination.
Description:
One-day procedure: (Tracer injected into a vein followed by 30 minutes of imaging, come back 3-4 hours later, swallow a blood pressure pill, lay down for one hour, and then 30 minutes of imaging); Two-day procedure: (Swallow a blood pressure pill, lay down for one hour, 30 minutes of imaging; return another day for a 30 minute study).