Occasionally, people regain enough kidney function to discontinue dialysis after several months. About 20 to 40 percent partially recover kidney function. For the majority, however, kidney transplantation or lifelong dialysis is the only solution. Nephrosclerosis with malignant hypertension is most common in men during their 40s and 50s and in women during their 30s. It's more common among blacks than whites and uncommon among people who have high blood pressure.
Malignant nephrosclerosis is a much more severe condition that occurs with malignant hypertension.
Symptoms include restlessness, confusion, sleepiness, blurred vision, headache, nausea, and vomiting. By viewing the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope, a doctor can see areas of bleeding, collections of fluid, and swelling of the optic nerve. The heart becomes enlarged, and heart failure is common. Because the kidneys malfunction, protein can pass into the urine. Blood cells, detected by microscopic examination, appear in the urine, and casts of clumped red blood cells also may be seen.