Beyond Medication: New Blood Pressure Procedure Offers Hope for Texans with Uncontrolled Hypertension

High blood pressure affects approximately 50% of American adults—roughly 120 million people—and nearly 75% of those with the condition do not have it under control. Often called the “silent killer,” hypertension typically presents no noticeable symptoms, yet it significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. For many patients, lifestyle changes and medications are the first line of defense, but these approaches are not always sufficient: up to 50% of patients become non-adherent to their medications within one year. This reality has driven interest in new technologies that can complement existing therapies, and one such option is the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure, a minimally invasive treatment that works by calming excessively active nerves near the kidneys that may contribute to high blood pressure.

The procedure, which does not require an implant, is designed to work in tandem with lifestyle management and medication to help patients achieve better blood pressure control—and potentially reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. More than 40,000 adults worldwide have received the Symplicity blood pressure procedure. Unlike medications that must be taken daily, the procedure’s effects keep working 24 hours a day. While some patients may be able to reduce the number of antihypertensive medications they take, medication may still need to be adjusted over time by a healthcare team. The procedure has known risks, including headache, back pain, access site complications like bruising or hematoma, and in very rare cases, blood vessel injury or narrowing.

For patients like Yazmin Rodriguez, a South Jersey mother of five and grandmother of one, the procedure marked a turning point. Years of uncontrolled high blood pressure left her with frequent migraines and low energy despite taking multiple medications and making lifestyle changes. In 2024, Dr. Kintur Sanghvi, an interventional cardiologist at Virtua Health, introduced her to the Symplicity procedure. Today, she has gained more control of her blood pressure and is better able to keep up with her family. “For patients like Yazmin who have tried medications and lifestyle changes but continue to struggle with uncontrolled high blood pressure, renal denervation offers not only an adjunctive treatment option, but a renewed sense of hope,” said Dr. Sanghvi.

Patrick Whitehouse, a 59-year-old from Sacramento, California, also found relief. His uncontrolled high blood pressure had begun to interfere with his active lifestyle—skiing, mountain biking, and traveling. After undergoing the procedure alongside lifestyle changes and medication, he returned to the activities he loves, including riding the iconic Denali Park Road in Alaska. Todd “Lumpy” Kocsis, 54, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, had lived with uncontrolled high blood pressure since age 18. Despite decades of treatment, multiple medications, and significant weight loss, his blood pressure continued to worsen, leading to frequent emergency room visits. After learning about the procedure through his physician, Dr. Gbur at Fulton County Health Center, he now works full-time and stays active caring for his horses, scuba diving, and exercising.

These individual stories reflect a broader shift in hypertension management, where device-based therapies are being integrated into treatment plans for patients who need more than drugs alone. For Texas, where cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death, the availability of such options could have a meaningful impact on public health and healthcare costs. The American Heart Association provides extensive resources on high blood pressure at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers national statistics at https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. To learn more about renal denervation and view additional safety and risk information, visit beyondHBP.com.