New treatment for high blood pressure
Posted: 03.26.2011 at 11:21 AM

One-time treatment with few side effects

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It's still a new treatment, but one that's showing a lot of promise in reducing high blood pressure:
Renal Sympathetic Denervation, done by an interventional radiologist, involves inserting a probe through an artery and then zapping the kidneys with radio waves. Dr. Richard O'Neill, psychologist at SUNY Upstate tells us the procedure  resulted in a significant drop in hypertension over a six month period, with no significant side effects.  Researchers estimate it will result in a 60% reduction in cardiovascular problems in people with drug-resistant high blood pressure.
 
The treatment may not eliminate need for blood pressure medication, or lifestyle changes including exercise, weight loss and stress lowering, however it is an option for people who do not get good results from 'normal' treatment.

Of Americans over 18, over one quarter have been told by a healthcare provider that thye have hypertension, and even more have the 'silent killer' and don't know it.