Norton Healthcare has new treatment to reduce high blood pressure

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Norton Healthcare has a new treatment for people high blood pressure.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the first provider in Kentucky and southern Indiana to offer renal denervation, a new procedure that decreases dangerous blood pressure.

According to Norton Healthcare, the nerves near the kidneys can become overactive. Norton Healthcare said applying radiofrequency energy to the nerves can help quiet those nerves, and reduce blood pressure.

The Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system is the only one of its kind offered in the U.S.

"We take a very thin tube into the artery that goes to the kidney and sends electrical pulses to calm those nerves," Matthew J. Sousa, M.D., interventional cardiologist, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, said in a news release. "It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure that only requires minimal sedation, and the patient can usually go home the same day."

According to a news release, elevated blood pressure is a reading above 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure that reaches seriously elevated levels is categorized as advanced hypertension.

Hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack and serious damage to the kidneys, eyes and brain.

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