Renal denervation is a treatment used to treat people with high blood pressure (hypertension) who are struggling to control their blood pressure on a few medications or who have side effects to multiple medications.
Renal denervation works by injuring the nerves which send signals from the kidneys to the brain. By disrupting this pathway we block a ‘negative feedback loop’ -where the kidneys inappropriately send signals to the brain to stimulate the blood pressure to rise.
It is usually performed in patients under the age of 65. It is a relatively simple procedure and very safe but requires several investigations to work out which patients may be suitable.
Before:
• You will need blood tests, a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, and a CT scan of the kidneys. There may be other tests required also in your specific situation.
• You would be asked to see a kidney (renal) specialist or a general physician to rule out other causes of high blood pressure before being considered for this procedure.
• You will be asked to come in on the morning of the procedure.
• You must not eat or drink anything on the day of the procedure, but you can take your medications as usual with a glass of water.
During:
• Renal denervation is done under a general anaesthetic.
• The procedure is done through a small mm tube in the groin.
After:
• You will be admitted to hospital for 1 night.
• There will be a small bruise in the leg.
• You can’t drive for 2 days.
• Usually, the blood pressure medication that you were on previously will stay the same initially but may be reduced over time.
• A safe and simple procedure used to treat high blood pressure in people who are not responding to usual medication.
• Works all day and night.
• May allow some people to reduce the number of blood pressure medications they are taking.
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