SGMC Health in Valdosta has introduced a groundbreaking treatment for patients suffering from resistant high blood pressure. This new approach, known as renal denervation (RDN), has recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The procedure employs the Symplicity Spyral system to target and calm overactive nerves near the kidneys, which often play a significant role in hypertension.
Interventional cardiologists Edward Distler, DO, Luke Seibolt, MD, and Daryoosh Derakhshan, DO, will perform the RDN procedure, which offers an alternative treatment option for individuals whose blood pressure remains high despite medication and lifestyle changes. “Many people struggle with high blood pressure, even when they take multiple medications and make healthy lifestyle changes,” Dr. Distler stated. “This procedure gives us another way to help them bring their numbers down and reduce health risks.”
Understanding the Need for Renal Denervation
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant health concern that affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. It greatly increases the risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Alarmingly, around 80% of individuals aware of their hypertension still do not manage to control it effectively. According to SGMC Health, the new renal denervation treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and improving overall health.
The renal denervation procedure is minimally invasive and designed to be straightforward. A doctor inserts a small tube into an artery leading to the kidney while the patient is lightly sedated. The physician then uses energy to calm the nerves that contribute to hypertension. Once the procedure is complete, the tube is removed, leaving no permanent implants behind.
“This procedure provides long-lasting benefits without requiring a permanent device in the body,” Dr. Distler emphasized. “At SGMC Health, we are committed to bringing the latest medical advancements to our community, and we’re proud to offer this new option for people struggling with high blood pressure.”
SGMC Health’s Leadership in Cardiac Care
SGMC Health has established itself as a leader in heart care within the region. It is the only hospital in the area equipped with a full open-heart surgery program, a structural heart center, and an advanced heart rhythm program. As a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, SGMC Health consistently seeks improvements to its services, ensuring that patients have access to the best treatments close to home.
The introduction of renal denervation is part of SGMC Health’s ongoing commitment to enhancing patient care and outcomes in the field of cardiology. As this new treatment becomes available, it holds promise for many patients in the community who have struggled with managing their high blood pressure.
