Renin is an enzyme that helps manage your blood pressure and maintain healthy levels of sodium and potassium in your body. Special cells in your kidneys make renin. Your kidneys release renin into your bloodstream when your blood pressure drops too low.
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Renin is an enzyme that special cells in your kidneys make and release. It’s part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system — a chain reaction designed to regulate your blood pressure. Specifically, renin controls the production of aldosterone, a hormone your adrenal glands make.
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Blood pressure regulation is the main function of renin. It works together with angiotensin and aldosterone to manage the levels of sodium and potassium in your body. Each part of your renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has a function. As a result of the system’s actions, your kidneys retain water and salt, increasing the amount of water in your body. This increases your blood pressure.
Your kidneys release renin into your bloodstream when your blood pressure drops too low or when there’s not enough sodium in your body. Specifically, renin secretion happens when:
Not exactly. On its own, renin doesn’t affect your blood pressure. Instead, it works together with angiotensin and aldosterone to accomplish this. Angiotensin narrows your blood vessels, and aldosterone causes your kidneys to retain water and salt. This increases the amount of fluid in your body and raises your blood pressure.
Your body produces renin in your kidneys. When your systolic blood pressure falls or your kidneys sense that your blood volume is low, your kidneys release renin into your bloodstream.
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Renin contains 340 amino acid residues. (When two or more amino acids combine and form a peptide, water is removed, and what’s left is called amino acid residue.)
Increased renin levels are linked to several conditions, including:
Yes, blood tests can tell you if your renin level is normal. A renin activity test, along with aldosterone level, can tell your healthcare provider how much aldosterone your adrenal glands are making. Your provider may recommend this test if they’ve diagnosed you with high blood pressure, especially if standard high blood pressure medications aren’t working.
If standard medications don’t successfully manage high blood pressure, then you could have a condition called primary aldosteronism (PA) — sometimes called Conn’s syndrome. If you have too much aldosterone, you can develop PA. A renin activity test can determine if PA caused your high blood pressure.
A provider most often measures renin as plasma renin activity (PRA). It measures how well renin generates angiotensin I (the precursor of angiotensin II). Tests can also measure direct renin.
High renin levels could mean that you have:
A renin imbalance has a strong impact on your kidneys. Too much renin can lead to your kidneys not receiving enough blood and oxygen (ischemia). Without oxygen, kidney damage follows.
Low renin levels could be from:
If your renin levels are abnormally high or low, your healthcare provider will design a treatment plan based on the underlying cause. For example, if you have high renin levels and high blood pressure, your provider may prescribe beta-blockers, clonidine or other medications to lower your blood pressure.
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You may not have known about renin until your level was abnormal. Now, you’re wondering if you should be concerned. Renin is important because it plays a vital role in regulating your blood pressure. There are many reasons for abnormal renin levels. Talk to your healthcare provider. They can help identify the root cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
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