Rt Renal Artery Stenosis and corrective procedures

[Barbara]

My Husband is 48, a smoker who will be quiting.  He is not obese,

doesn't eat a lot of fatty foods and has recently been diaagnosed

with Rt. Renal Artery Stenosis.  Also a possible Lt. Carotid Artery Stenosis.  He will have a arteriogram and then it's on to corrective measures.  His High Blood Pressure at it's highest was 235/130 and is now under control with Tenormin 600mg and Adalat 60mg.  His blood pressure now is 138/88 slightly higher or lower than this on a day to day basis.  Both the family practice Doctor and Cardiologist do not specialize in Bedside manner.  His Family Practice Doctor told him he can't possiably

imagine the damage that has occured to his arteries over the last 20 years and how his heart must be either enlarged or so muscle bound.  The cardiologist said " We will try to get you to your 50's or 60's. This kind of response from a Doctor is devastating!  No mental placebo here!  So my question is this:

If we are to implement a radical diet change and go to low fat/low cholestrol diet. Stop smoking, take the anti cholestrol drug ( his cholestrol was 202 ) take a aspirin a day, drink red wine with dinner and maintain a safe and normal blood pressure

is it not possible to see some arterial repair?  Is there any procedure that reduces the plack already in the walls, or if they are damaged doesn't the body repair itself somewhat? What is your suggestion for repair?  Angioplasty, laser, or surgery?

If he does have the angioplasty how long will that work?  Does it stenose again after 5-10 years?  We need some hope or should we pick out the grave plot now?  He went in for a Vasectomy consultation and that's when the high blood pressure was picked up no signs or symptoms before that time.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

If the arteriogram detects severe renal artery stenosis, this should be treated with angioplasty if possible. The recurrence rate at the treated site is low. Obviously, he needs to stop smoking completely as of right now. Continued control of his blood pressure and cholesterol are also important. Your doctors' concerns are that, even with appropriate treatment from here on in, in all likelihood, a substantial amount of damage has already been sustained by the arteries to the heart and brain. A proper diet and medications will help prevent further damage and will cause some reduction in the damage his arteries have sustained, though will not reverse all the damage. I think there is little point in worrying about damage that has already occurred or trying to predict the future. Instead, your husband should just focus on improving what can be improved and remain optimistic about the future.