A kidney arterial ultrasound evaluates blood flow through the renal arteries. Narrowing of these arteries is a common and often missed cause of treatment-resistant high blood pressure and declining kidney function.[1]
Many people have never had this scan before. Here is exactly what happens — no surprises, no anxiety.
No radiation. No needles. No discomfort. An ultrasound uses sound waves — the same technology used in obstetric imaging. It is entirely safe and non-invasive.
We ask that you avoid eating for 4–6 hours before this scan for the clearest possible images of the kidney arteries.
Gel is applied to your upper abdomen. The sonographer uses a probe to locate and image both renal arteries.
Flow velocities are measured at the origin of each renal artery and along its length to detect any significant narrowing.
We also evaluate kidney size and appearance — chronic narrowing often causes one kidney to shrink over time.
Findings include flow velocity ratios, degree of stenosis if present, kidney size comparison, and clinical interpretation.
These conditions often develop without symptoms for years. Early detection changes the outcome dramatically.
Narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys — a correctable cause of difficult-to-control hypertension.[2]
Decreased blood flow to one or both kidneys accelerating kidney function decline.
A smaller kidney on one side often indicates chronic reduced blood flow on that side.
A non-atherosclerotic arterial condition commonly affecting renal arteries — especially in younger women.[4]
Rare but important finding — abnormal widening of the renal artery requiring monitoring or treatment.
For patients who have previously had renal artery stenting, this scan monitors for restenosis.
We built BlackPoint Diagnostics because quality cardiovascular imaging shouldn't require a hospital visit, a referral, or a weeks-long wait. Our sonographer performs cardiovascular imaging daily alongside physicians — this is clinical-grade diagnostics delivered with genuine convenience.
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"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
"He was very professional, kind, and took the time to explain everything he was doing during the procedure, which really helped put me at ease. I received my results within 48 hours, which was impressive. Excellent experience overall."
"Manny was respectful and knowledgeable. I was brought in on time and was kept informed of what he was doing along with detailed explanations. The room was clean, quiet, and private. I received my results within 48 hours with a follow up email from Manny. Highly recommend."
"Manny was professional and informative. The appointment felt clean, quiet and calming. I was able to get scheduled quickly and received my results the very next day."
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of strokes are preventable with early detection
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US
of heart disease patients have no prior symptoms
Adults over 50 will need an echocardiogram in their lifetime
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When blood pressure remains elevated despite taking two or more medications, the condition is called resistant hypertension. One of the most common and treatable causes is renal artery stenosis — a narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys. When the kidneys receive reduced blood flow, they signal the body to raise blood pressure further. A renal artery duplex ultrasound can identify this condition non-invasively.
Yes — and this relationship is often reversed in people's minds. Renal artery stenosis reduces blood flow to the kidneys, triggering the release of hormones that raise blood pressure system-wide. This cycle can be difficult to break with medication alone. Identifying the underlying vascular cause is the first step toward targeted treatment.
Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing of one or both arteries that deliver blood to the kidneys. It is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) in older adults, or by fibromuscular dysplasia in younger patients. A renal artery duplex ultrasound is the standard non-invasive test to detect stenosis before it causes irreversible kidney damage.
Yes. BlackPoint Diagnostics does not require a physician referral. Book directly at booking.html — evenings after 7pm and weekends. Results reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist and delivered within 24–48 hours.
$397 flat — no facility fees, no hidden costs. We come to your home, workplace, or preferred location in Southern Maine.
Dealing with resistant hypertension? Read our indication guide: Resistant Hypertension and Renal Artery Screening in Maine.
Understand the kidney-blood pressure connection: Resistant Hypertension — Could Your Kidneys Be the Cause?