High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that increases the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and stroke.
While lifestyle changes and medications can help many people manage their blood pressure, some individuals continue to struggle with uncontrolled hypertension despite these treatments.
For these patients, a new procedure called ultrasound renal denervation offers a promising alternative.
Renal denervation is a minimally invasive procedure designed to target overactive kidney nerves, which play a role in regulating blood pressure. During the procedure, a small, flexible catheter is inserted through a tiny puncture in the wrist or groin and guided to the artery that supplies blood to the kidney.
Once in place, the catheter delivers ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to the tissue surrounding the artery for a few seconds. This energy disrupts the nerve signals, reducing their activity and helping to lower blood pressure.
A recent clinical study involving 224 participants with uncontrolled hypertension tested the effectiveness of this procedure. The results showed that renal denervation significantly reduced blood pressure, either as a standalone treatment or when combined with medication.
The study builds on earlier findings that the procedure can lower blood pressure in people with mild to moderate hypertension and those with resistant hypertension.
This new study focused on patients whose blood pressure remained high despite standard treatments.
The researchers found that the ultrasound-based renal denervation was effective in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, offering a potential alternative for patients who struggle to control their hypertension with medication alone.
The procedure has several advantages. It is minimally invasive, involves only a small puncture, and does not require major surgery.
The use of ultrasound energy allows for precise targeting of the overactive nerves in the kidney, reducing the risk of complications. Additionally, the treatment is relatively quick and can be performed on an outpatient basis, making it accessible for many patients.
For people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, renal denervation could represent a new option for managing their condition. It may be especially beneficial for those who experience side effects from medications or for whom medications alone are not enough to achieve healthy blood pressure levels.
However, like any medical procedure, renal denervation is not suitable for everyone. Patients should consult their healthcare provider to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for their specific situation.
More research is also needed to understand the long-term effects and safety of the procedure, as well as its potential applications for a broader range of patients with hypertension.
High blood pressure is a serious health issue that affects millions worldwide. This innovative procedure offers hope for better managing the condition, particularly for individuals who have not found success with traditional treatments.
As studies continue to expand our understanding of renal denervation, it could become an important tool in the fight against hypertension.
The study was led by Michel Azizi and published in JAMA. For those interested in maintaining healthy blood pressure, additional research highlights the potential benefits of lifestyle choices, such as avoiding black licorice, which can dangerously raise blood pressure, or incorporating nutrients like turmeric and coconut sugar, which may help reduce blood pressure and improve artery health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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