As leaders in cardiovascular care, San Juan Regional Medical Center’s integrated team of specialists iscontinuously exploring the latest treatment options that support our patient-centered approach to care. Our focus on innovations in disease management is at the forefront of our daily work, and since high blood pressure is a prominent health concern, we are excited to offer patients a new treatment option to potentially manage their condition.
Integrating a new hypertension treatment option
San Juan Regional Medical Center is now performing renal denervation (RDN) procedures for patients with high blood pressure, or hypertension. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the RDN procedure - known as the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure - is a minimally invasive technique that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause elevated blood pressure. After mild sedation, the doctor insets a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. The procedure is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with hypertension when lifestyle changes and medications do not adequately control blood pressure.
“As we look to improve the way we treat patients with hypertension, SJRMC is invested in utilizing the latest technological innovations that meet the needs of our patients and physicians,” said Jason Rounds, President and CEO of San Juan Regional Medical Center. “Our interventional cardiologist Dr. Faraz Sandhu performed the first Symplicity™ procedure in the state of New Mexico, and we look forward to offering this procedure to patients who qualify.”
For people with hypertension, medication and/or lifestyle changes can help reduce blood pressure, but studies have shown that many people still don’t have control over their condition. RDN could help fill that gap to potentially provide a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant.
Know the facts
Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of the arteries – and hypertension is when blood pressure is too high. Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because most people don’t know they have it. If you have high blood pressure, your heart works harder, which can raise your risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure. These risks can be very serious — especially if your high blood pressure is left untreated.
If you or someone you know is experiencing high or difficult to control blood pressure, talk to your doctor to see if the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a possible treatment option.