Breakthrough Treatment for High Blood Pressure

This week on The Heart of Innovation, hosted by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Emmy Award-winning journalist Kym McNicholas, the focus is on a groundbreaking treatment for hard-to-treat high blood pressure. The featured guest is Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Eric Secemsky, Director of Vascular Intervention at BIDMC and Section head of Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Research at the Richard. A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology at BIDMC. Dr. Secemsky joins the conversation starting in the second segment after Dr. Phillips and Kym catch up on the week's happenings and square up on their football rivalries for the NFL playoffs.

The Issue

Dr. Secemsky delves into the prevalence of high blood pressure, affecting nearly half of American adults, with many being unaware of their condition or facing challenges in consistently accessing or adhering to medications. Shockingly, only one in four individuals with high blood pressure have it under control, underscoring the urgency of addressing this public health concern.

Treatment Resistant Hypertension

The discussion highlights the subset of patients facing treatment resistant hypertension, where standard medications prove ineffective or intolerable, posing increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular complications. In these patients, Dr. Secemsky has discovered an association with the renal nerve, which can contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Renal Denervation (RDN)

To address the hard-to-treat chronic hypertension patients, Dr. Secemsky pioneered a new treatment called, renal denervation (RDN), which involves permanently disrupting the nerves controlling the kidneys' arteries. This innovative approach, developed at BIDMC, offers a potential solution for bringing treatment resistant hypertension back under control, offering hope for patients facing persistent challenges in managing their condition.

New Blood Pressure Treatment Availability

The episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the groundbreaking RDN procedure, offering valuable insights into a first-of-its-kind treatment for high blood pressure. Dr. Secemsky's expertise and the innovative advancements in cardiovascular care showcased in this episode underscore the ongoing pursuit of transformative solutions in the field of interventional cardiology. Tune in to The Heart of Innovation for an in-depth discussion on this breakthrough treatment for hypertension and its potential impact on reshaping the landscape of cardiovascular care.