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People with treatment-resistant hypertension could benefit from a new procedure that the FDA recently approved.<\/p>\n
The minimally invasive procedure targets nerves near the kidneys to help control high blood pressure<\/u> when medications fail to do so.<\/p>\n
Dr. Samin Sharma, an interventional cardiologist and director of the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Clinical Institute at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City, performed the new procedure on a patient with uncontrolled hypertension earlier this month.<\/p>\n
REDUCING SALT INTAKE BY JUST 1 TEASPOON A DAY HAS SAME EFFECT AS BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS, STUDY FINDS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “When the device came, we said, \u2018We are going to try it on you,\u2019” Sharma told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“He said yes and was very happy.”<\/p>\n
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A team of interventional cardiologists from Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City performed the first Symplicity\u2122 blood pressure procedure in December 2023.<\/span> (Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHere’s how it works<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe treatment uses a device that ablates the overstimulated sympathetic nerves near the kidneys, Sharma said.<\/p>\n
It can help control the patient\u2019s blood pressure for at least five years, possibly preventing life-threatening events such as heart attack<\/u>, stroke, brain bleeds and kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n“Renal denervation continues to be an experimental therapy that has shown some promise as a proof of concept.”<\/p>\n
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Two devices \u2014 Medtronic\u2019s Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system and Recor Medical\u2019s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation system \u2014 have received FDA approval for this treatment as of the end of December 2023.<\/p>\n
The device is indicated “to reduce blood pressure as an adjunctive treatment in patients with hypertension in whom lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications<\/u> do not adequately control blood pressure,” according to the FDA\u2019s approval statement.<\/p>\n
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE A CONCERN WORLDWIDE, LEADING TO DEATH, STROKE, HEART ATTACK: HOW TO STOP A ‘SILENT KILLER’<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The procedure is intended for individuals who do not show blockage of the kidney arteries, Sharma noted.<\/p>\n
During the one-hour procedure, interventional cardiologists insert a thin tube into the renal artery, which sends sound waves or radiofrequency energy that targets and ablates the overactive sympathetic nerves that are connected to the kidney, Sharma told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
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The patient’s blood pressure after the procedure is now averaging 135\/85 \u2014 the lowest it has been in many years. Mount Sinai is the only hospital in New York \u2014 and one of the few places in the country \u2014 to perform this “game-changing” procedure.<\/span> (Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“You kind of destroy the nerve endings,” the doctor said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This calms the nerves\u2019 excessive activity \u2014 which mitigates blood pressure to the brain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studies have shown that this ablation technique helps to lower systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure readings in individuals for months or even years.<\/p>\n
WANT A MORE ACCURATE BLOOD PRESSURE READING? TRY LYING DOWN WHEN IT’S TAKEN, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n There is most likely no negative impact on the kidneys, Sharma told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
As with any procedure, however, there are some risks involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One potential risk is that an artery is damaged during the procedure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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“Hypertension is the most frequent modifiable risk factor for heart disease, and blood pressure control in our country is not where it needs to be,” a doctor told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“Damage can occur in about one in 500 cases,” Sharma said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We don\u2019t expect this to happen, but that is a [potential] complication.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why results have been life-changing<\/strong><\/h2>\nOn Dec. 4, Sharma and his team of doctors at Mount Sinai performed the procedure on Adit Dhawan, 44.<\/p>\n
Dhawan, a married father who lives on Long Island, New York<\/u>, spoke to Fox News Digital about the experience.<\/p>\n
SKIPPING THE SALT CAN REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK BY ALMOST 20%, STUDY FINDS: \u2018KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Ever since he was diagnosed with high blood pressure at age 19, he’d taken several different medications over the decades, none of which helped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dhawan also followed a relatively healthy diet<\/u> and exercised regularly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite these efforts, his blood pressure has averaged 150\/90-100 mm Hg since he was in his twenties, he told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A normal blood pressure reading is between 110-120\/70-80 mm Hg, according to medical experts.<\/p>\n
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A normal blood pressure reading is between 110-120\/70-80 mm Hg, according to medical experts.<\/span> (Tobias Hase\/picture alliance via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nA few months ago, when Dhawan took the measurement at home, the result was even higher than what he typically saw.<\/p>\n
“It was super high \u2014 170\/100. That\u2019s when I freaked out,” he said.<\/p>\n
When he sought Sharman\u2019s help, the doctor told Dhawan about the new procedure \u2014 and he was eager to give it a try.<\/p>\n
A SINGLE ALCOHOLIC DRINK PER DAY COULD RAISE BLOOD PRESSURE, SAYS STUDY<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n After the procedure, which Dhawan described as “not bad,” he took Tylenol for some mild soreness that lasted for about three days.<\/p>\n
Now, just three weeks later, he is already seeing the benefits of the procedure. Dhawan is already taking far fewer blood pressure medications and is back to running and exercising<\/u>, he told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m really glad, because high blood pressure is a silent killer,” he said. “I\u2019m very happy. Everything is fine. All my vitals are great.”<\/p>\n
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Based on trials and short-term follow-up, a doctor noted that the procedure seems to provide modest benefit in lowering blood pressure.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDhawan\u2019s blood pressure is now averaging 135\/85 \u2014 the lowest it has been in many years.<\/p>\n
Mount Sinai is the only hospital in New York \u2014 and one of the few places in the country \u2014 to perform this “game-changing” procedure, according to a press release.<\/p>\n
What doctors are saying<\/strong><\/h2>\nSeveral physicians not involved with Dhawan\u2019s case spoke to Fox News Digital about the new treatment for uncontrolled hypertension.<\/p>\n
“In high-quality randomized studies, the renal denervation procedure has been shown to improve blood pressure control \u2026 in patients with difficult-to-control blood pressure and those with high blood pressure who are on one or two medications,” said Dr. Manesh R. Patel, M.D., chief of cardiology and co-director of the Duke Heart Center at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina<\/u>.<\/p>\n
MEDICAL RESEARCH ON CELLPHONE USE SAYS CHATTING FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME PER WEEK CAN RAISE BLOOD PRESSURE RISK<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n As Patel told Fox News Digital, he is excited that there’s now another therapy available for patients with high blood pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Hypertension is the most frequent modifiable risk factor for heart disease, and blood pressure control in our country is not where it needs to be,” the doctor told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Therefore, having a procedure to support control, on top of medications, is an important step forward.”<\/p>\n
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Two devices \u2014 Medtronic\u2019s Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system and Recor Medical\u2019s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation system \u2014 both received FDA approval for this treatment as of the end of December 2023.<\/span> (AP Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhen asked about concerns regarding the procedure\u2019s potential effect on the kidneys, Patel said, “The studies done to date have shown the renal denervation procedure has been well-tolerated and there has been a low risk of causing any damage.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Steven Potter, M.D., an experienced kidney and pancreas transplant surgeon at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute in Washington, D.C.<\/u>, also commented on the newly approved procedure.<\/p>\n
“The global costs of hypertension are enormous, and innovative treatment options could prove to hold great value,” Potter told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “At this point, renal denervation continues to be an experimental therapy that has shown some promise as a proof of concept.”<\/p>\n
Based on trials and short-term follow-up, Potter noted that the procedure seems to provide modest benefit in lowering blood pressure, although “the results of studies have been conflicting, with some showing significant benefit and others failing to do so.”<\/p>\n
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Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMore experience with, and research into, the procedure<\/u> are needed “before its appropriate role in clinical practice is determined,” he added.<\/p>\n
High blood pressure affects nearly half of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only about one out of four patients with hypertension are able to control it.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg.<\/p>\n
In 2021, hypertension was a primary or contributing cause of 691,095 deaths in the U.S.<\/p>\n
For more Health articles, visit <\/u><\/strong><\/i>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i>.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n[ad_2]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[ad_1] Read this article for free! Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17197"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}