A novel treatment called renal denervation is offering hope for patients with treatment-resistant high blood pressure.
This FDA-approved procedure disrupts overactive kidney nerves using ultrasound or radiofrequency energy, helping some patients achieve significant blood pressure reductions. While not a cure, studies show it can lower readings by 8 to 10 points on average, with some seeing greater improvements.
Lifestyle changes and medications remain standard for hypertension, but renal denervation offers an option for severe cases. Experts emphasize its safety for carefully selected patients, though long-term effects are still under study. Hospitals are cautiously adopting the procedure, which costs thousands and may face insurance hurdles. Patients like Michael Garrity, who benefited from it, are optimistic about this breakthrough.
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