New High Blood Pressure Treatment at Chesapeake Regional

A New Approach to Managing High Blood Pressure is Now in Hampton Roads

Key Takeaways: 

Managing high blood pressure can be frustrating, but a new procedure offers hope. Here's what you need to know about this treatment now available at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare:

• It's a New Option for a Tough Problem: Renal denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive procedure designed for people with hypertension that hasn't been controlled by medication and lifestyle changes.
• The Procedure is Quick and Minimally Invasive: Performed in about an hour, this is typically an outpatient procedure that uses a catheter and radiofrequency energy to calm overactive nerves connected to your kidneys.
• It Complements Your Current Plan: RDN works alongside your existing medications and healthy habits to help lower your blood pressure, giving you another tool to protect your long-term health.
• We're the First in the Region: Chesapeake Regional is proud to be the first in our community to successfully perform this advanced procedure, bringing leading-edge cardiovascular care closer to home.

Take Control of Stubborn High Blood Pressure

Managing high blood pressure can often feel like a full-time job. You follow your doctor's advice, take medications as prescribed, and focus on a healthy lifestyle, but for some, the numbers on the monitor barely budge. This struggle with uncontrolled hypertension is a common and deeply frustrating experience. In fact, research shows that nearly a third of patients would be willing to consider an interventional procedure if it meant a better way to manage their blood pressure than simply adding another medication to their routine. If that sounds like you, there is a new path forward.

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is the first in the region to offer renal denervation (RDN), a groundbreaking, minimally invasive procedure proven to help lower persistent high blood pressure. Our expert team recently performed the area's first three successful procedures using the Medtronic Symplicity Spyral™ system. This innovative treatment is not a replacement for healthy habits or medication but a powerful complement to them, offering a new sense of control for those who need it most. It is a one-hour, outpatient procedure that targets a root cause of resistant hypertension, providing a safe, effective option to help you reach your health goals.

Understand How Renal Denervation Works for You

The concept behind renal denervation is both simple and revolutionary. Your kidneys play a major role in regulating blood pressure, partly through nerves that send signals to your brain. In some people, these nerves become overactive, sending continuous signals that tell the body to raise blood pressure. This creates a cycle that is difficult to break with medication alone. Renal denervation directly and safely disrupts these overactive signals.

During the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure, one of our interventional cardiologists guides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the arteries leading to your kidneys. This part of the process is very similar to getting a stent. Once in place, the specialized catheter delivers precisely controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to the surrounding tissue. This energy gently heats and disrupts the overactive nerves without harming the artery itself. By calming these nerve signals, the procedure helps your body naturally relax and lower its blood pressure. The entire treatment is completed in under an hour, and because it is minimally invasive, most people can go home the very same day.

Discover the Technology That Makes It Possible

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. That is why we chose the Medtronic Symplicity Spyral™ RDN system, a technology trusted by physicians worldwide and used to treat over 30,000 patients. This system is engineered for precision and safety. Its unique, helical design allows our doctors to deliver consistent energy to four quadrants of the artery at once for thorough treatment.

The system also features a responsive algorithm that monitors temperature and impedance in real time, automatically adjusting the power to ensure the energy is delivered safely and effectively. This intelligent design preferentially heats the fatty tissue where the renal nerves are located while protecting other structures. The catheter is also nonocclusive, which means it allows blood to flow continuously to the kidney throughout the procedure, naturally protecting the vessel wall. With a single, versatile catheter size that fits most arteries, the system is designed to be as straightforward as it is effective. This commitment to proven technology ensures you are receiving the highest standard of care available.

Determine if This Procedure is Your Next Step

Renal denervation is a significant step forward, but it is not for everyone. This procedure may be an excellent option for you if you live with uncontrolled hypertension, meaning your blood pressure remains high despite efforts with lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications. The ideal candidate is someone who is open to an interventional procedure and wants to be an active participant in their health care journey. Making this choice is a process of shared decision-making between you and your cardiologist. We believe in empowering you with clear, honest information so you can make confident decisions about your health. This approach aligns with recommendations from cardiovascular experts, including the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), which recognized renal denervation in a 2023 statement as a promising therapy for treating hypertension. We are here to answer your questions and help you explore whether this treatment fits into your long-term health plan.

A New Era for Hypertension Care in Our Community

Finding the right path to manage high blood pressure is a personal journey, and for many, it can feel like a search for a missing piece of the puzzle. The arrival of renal denervation at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare represents a new chapter of hope and possibility for our neighbors across Hampton Roads. This proven, globally recognized procedure provides a powerful new tool that works with your body to achieve better blood pressure control. As a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, it is designed to fit into your life with minimal disruption while offering significant, lasting benefits.

At Chesapeake Regional, we are more than just a hospital; we are a dedicated partner in your health. Bringing this pioneering treatment to our community is a reflection of our deep commitment to providing you with the most advanced and compassionate care available. If you have been struggling with resistant hypertension, you no longer have to manage it alone. This innovative therapy provides a new way to get back in control and protect the future of your cardiovascular health.

Find out if renal denervation is right for you. Schedule a consultation with our cardiovascular specialists today by calling 757-312-4047.

FAQ:

What is renal denervation (RDN)?
Renal denervation is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure designed to treat uncontrolled high blood pressure. It uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt overactive nerves near the kidneys that contribute to hypertension, helping to lower blood pressure.

How long does the Symplicity Spyral procedure take?
The procedure is efficient, typically taking less than one hour to complete. It is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning most patients can return home the same day.

Is renal denervation a safe procedure?
Yes. The Symplicity Spyral™ RDN system has been used to treat over 30,000 patients globally and is designed with safety as a priority. Its real-time monitoring and precise energy delivery help protect the renal arteries while effectively treating the targeted nerves. The procedure is also recognized by major cardiovascular organizations as a promising therapy.

Who is a good candidate for this new high blood pressure treatment?
This procedure is intended for patients with hypertension that has not been adequately controlled with lifestyle changes and medications. The decision to proceed is made collaboratively between you and your cardiologist after a thorough evaluation.

Does this procedure replace my blood pressure medications?
Renal denervation is designed to complement your current treatment plan, not necessarily replace it. For many patients, RDN can help lower blood pressure to target levels while they continue their medication regimen. Any changes to your medication should only be made in consultation with your doctor.

What is recovery like after a renal denervation procedure?
Because the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery is typically quick. Patients are often monitored for a few hours after the procedure and can usually resume normal activities shortly afterward, as advised by their care team.

Why did Chesapeake Regional Healthcare choose the Symplicity Spyral system?
Chesapeake Regional chose this system for its proven track record of safety, precision, and effectiveness. Its advanced features, including the unique helical catheter design and responsive energy control, align with our commitment to providing the highest standard of care and the best possible outcomes for our patients.