High blood pressure is a major health problem around the world. It affects millions of people and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage.
While many people manage their blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medication, others still struggle to keep it under control. This leaves them at risk for serious health problems.
Now, researchers may have found a new way to help. A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA describes a treatment called renal denervation, or RDN. It’s a simple medical procedure that could help lower blood pressure in people who don’t get enough benefit from medication alone.
So, what is renal denervation? It’s a procedure that targets nerves near the arteries leading to the kidneys. These nerves help control blood pressure. If they become too active, they can keep your blood pressure too high. By calming these nerves, doctors hope to reduce blood pressure in a more lasting way.
During the procedure, doctors insert a small tube called a catheter into the body through a tiny cut in the wrist or groin. They guide the catheter to the arteries near the kidneys.
Then, they use sound waves or radiofrequency energy to treat the nerves around the arteries. This energy reduces the activity of the nerves that raise blood pressure. Once both kidneys are treated, the catheter is removed.
In a recent clinical study called the Radiance II trial, scientists tested this method on 224 people with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The results were exciting. People who had the procedure saw a real drop in their blood pressure that lasted for at least two months.
One of the doctors involved, Dr. Stephen Jenkins from Ochsner Health, said this treatment could give new hope to people who haven’t been able to control their blood pressure with medicine alone.
This isn’t the first time researchers have looked into renal denervation. Other studies have shown similar results, even in people with mild or very tough-to-treat high blood pressure. So far, more than 500 patients have taken part in these studies, and the results have been consistently positive.
The benefits of this procedure are clear. It’s minimally invasive, which means there’s only a small cut needed. This helps people heal faster and reduces risks. It can be used with regular blood pressure medicine, making it a helpful addition—not a replacement. Best of all, the effects last. For people with high blood pressure, long-term control is key.
For those who have tried everything and still struggle, renal denervation could be a big help. While doctors still need to study it more and improve the technique, the current research shows that it is safe and effective.
High blood pressure continues to be a top cause of death and disability. Finding new treatments like this is very important. Renal denervation may soon become a key option in helping people live longer, healthier lives.
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