Tampa General Hospital Can Help Your High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, affecting nearly half of American adults according to the American Heart Association, is a critical health concern that can lead to serious complications like heart attacks and strokes. While lifestyle changes and medication often help many manage this condition, some patients find these measures insufficient. For some individuals whose high blood pressure has persisted despite various treatments, there may be a new option at Tampa General Hospital. Doctors are now offering an innovative procedure designed to help those with resistant hypertension.

Dr. Fadi Matar, Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Tampa General Hospital, and his team are utilizing a procedure called renal denervation. This minimally invasive technique targets the nerves surrounding the kidney arteries, which play a role in regulating blood pressure. Dr. Matar told ABC Action News "The body adjusts blood pressure based on signals from sensors within the body," Dr. Matar explained. "Renal denervation takes advantage of this system by disrupting the overactive nerves around the kidney arteries, effectively 'shutting off' some of these signals."

Let me put it in words I even understand. The procedure employs ultrasound energy to selectively target these nerves, helping to reduce the excessive nerve activity that contributes to hypertension. They have also been performing this procedure for less than a year with "very favorable results".

One individual, William Ballingall, told reporters the results have been life-changing. He told ABC "The pressure is gone, and so are the headaches. I don't feel that thumping in my temples anymore".

The renal denervation procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting, allowing patients to return home the same day. For those who have struggled with resistant hypertension, this new treatment offers a promising path forward.

Source: ABC Action News