What Is Renal Denervation (RDN)?
Renal denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive procedure that helps lower blood pressure by safely disrupting overactive sympathetic nerves located in the kidney arteries. By reducing overactive nerve activity between the kidneys and brain, it helps lower blood pressure when medication is not enough.
Lifestyle changes and medications are not always enough to help patients with resistant hypertension to achieve control.
Who Is a Candidate for a Renal Denervation Procedure?
Renal denervation may be an option for patients who:
- Have high blood pressure that is difficult to control with medications
- Cannot tolerate blood pressure medications due to side effects
- Prefer an additional treatment option alongside lifestyle changes and medication
A cardiologist or vascular specialist will evaluate your condition to determine if this procedure is appropriate for you.
How Does It Work?
The kidneys play a key role in regulating blood pressure through nerves that signal the body to retain fluid and constrict blood vessels. In some patients, these nerves are overactive, contributing to persistently high blood pressure.
Here’s how it works:
- A thin catheter is inserted through a blood vessel (typically in the groin or wrist) guiding it to the arteries that supply the kidneys
- The catheter delivers controlled energy (radiofrequency or ultrasound) to disrupt overactive nerve signals
- This process helps reduce the signals that raise blood pressure, allowing it to come down more effectively over time.
The procedure is typically done in under an hour and requires no permanent implant.
Benefits of Renal Denervation
Renal denervation offers several meaningful advantages, particularly for patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension who have struggled to achieve adequate blood pressure control.
- Long-lasting blood pressure reduction
- Minimally invasive with no surgical incisions
- Short recovery time
- May reduce reliance on multiple medications
Overall, RDN offers a one-time procedural option for patients who are either unable to control their blood pressure through medication alone or are looking to reduce their long-term drug dependence.
Take Control of Your High Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure remains high despite treatment, renal denervation may offer a new path forward.
CardioNow provides fast, convenient access to cardiovascular evaluations and can help determine if this innovative treatment is right for you—without long wait times. Contact us about whether this approach fits your care plan.
