A new treatment option for patients with uncontrollable high blood pressure could allow them to reduce or stop taking blood pressure medication. This single minimally invasive treatment targets overactive nerves that contribute to high blood pressure and could help reduce risk of long-term complications such as heart attack and stroke.
Prisma Health Heart Hospital now offers the FDA-approved procedure that could, effectively, help treat hypertension for life for some patients with resistant high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke in South Carolina. Hypertensive patients that remain “uncontrolled,” or outside of the normal blood pressure range, are at increased risk for cardiovascular dis-
ease — including heart attack and heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and cognitive issues.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly half of adults in the United States will develop high blood pressure, which can
lead to problems like heart disease, stroke and blindness. Yet threequarters of people with high blood pressure don’t have it under control, with many patients unable to take medications because of side effects.
“We’re thrilled to
offer this new treatment option for patients who are unable to control their blood pressure by traditional means such as medication or lifestyle changes,” said Prisma Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Vince Vismara.
