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Worried about high blood pressure?

Learn about the High Blood Pressure Procedure

The Medtronic Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to complement your existing efforts to manage high blood pressure.1 It works alongside the lifestyle changes and medications you may already be using to help control your blood pressure more effectively.2,3


Take a short survey to see if this procedure may be right for you.


high blood pressure

Get the facts about

high blood pressure.

Did you know that ~50% of adults in the United States live with high blood pressure?4

Even though high blood pressure is very common, it can be hard to treat. In fact, approximately 4 out of 5 adults with high blood pressure don't have their high blood pressure under control.5


High blood pressure can cause serious issues, even if you don't have symptoms.

Your heart has to work harder if you have high blood pressure, which can raise your risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure.6,7 These risks can be very serious—especially if your high blood pressure is left untreated.

High blood pressure raises your risk of:

heart failure

Heart failure6

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Stroke6

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Heart attack6

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Kidney failure7

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measure of how strongly blood pushes against your arteries.

When should you treat it?

Normal<120 / <80
Elevated120-129 / <80
Stage 1130-139 / 80-89
normal treatment point
Stage  2≥140 / ≥90
Hypertensive Crisis≥180 / ≥120
How high is too high?

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend treating high blood pressure at: 

130/80

mmHg6

Your need for treatment depends on your individual situation, including your overall health, family history, and other risk factors. Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, medications, and other treatments can help you lower your blood pressure.6

How does your body control blood pressure?

Your heart and blood vessels are involved, as well as your kidneys.8 In some people, the nerves connected to the kidneys experience excessive activity that interrupts the natural process of control, leading to higher blood pressure.9

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What is the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure?

For a long time, the only way to treat high blood pressure was through lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise or by taking medications. Today, there is an innovative approach that complements typical treatments.1 The Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure safely and effectively.2,3


While it may not affect how many medications you take, the Symplicity™ procedure could help reduce high blood pressure2,3 without adding another pill to your daily regimen.


Keep in mind that not every person will experience the same results. The Symplicity™ procedure does have known risks. These risks should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure.


About the procedure

How does it work?

The Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure works to calm excessively active nerves near the kidneys that may be contributing to your high blood pressure.10

Watch this video for a brief rundown of the of the procedure.

How long does it take?

The procedure usually takes about an hour for the doctor to perform, although this does not include the time to prepare you to undergo the procedure or your recovery time. Individual procedure times may vary.

Where is it performed?

The procedure is done in a hospital. Some people go home the same day. Others stay overnight. Your doctor will decide what is right for you.

What are the risks?

Adverse events include but are not limited to bruising and pain. Results may vary.

High blood presure

Is the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure right for you?

People who may be candidates for this procedure:

  • have been unable to manage their blood pressure with medications or lifestyle changes alone1
  • are at least 18 years old
  • are willing to undergo a minimally invasive procedure

If you have a blood pressure measurement of >= 150 mmHg on 2 or more high blood pressure medications, we may be able to connect you with a Symplicity™ specialist near you. 


Receiving the Symplicity™ procedure should be based on a joint decision between you and your doctor. You should discuss the benefits and risks of the device and procedure.


Take a survey to talk to an educational support specialist who can answer questions and help you locate a doctor in your area who performs the procedure.

Survey icon

Step 1

Take the survey to see if the procedure may be right for you

Speaking with a specialist

Step 2

Speak with our educational support specialist to get answers to your questions

Talk to your doctor

Step 3

Prepare to talk to your doctor or get connected to a local doctor who performs the Symplicity™ procedure

Take a short survey to see if the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure is right for you.

Take the survey below to see if the procedure may be right for you and talk to an educational support specialists.

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Frequently asked questions.

What happens during the procedure?

After you are sedated, your doctor will make a small incision to insert a very thin tube (catheter) into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor will then use this device to calm the excessive activity of the nerves near the kidney.10 The tube is then removed, leaving no device behind. Adverse events include, but are not limited to, bruising and pain. Results may vary.

What happens after the procedure?

You may experience some bruising following the procedure. Your doctor will decide when you can return to normal activities. At your doctor’s discretion, you may have two follow-up appointments.

  • One with the doctor who performed your procedure
  • One with the doctor who treats your high blood pressure

Will I still need to take blood pressure medication after the procedure?

Yes, continue taking all blood pressure (and other) medication as prescribed unless your doctor recommends a change.

References

  1. Medtronic Symplicity Spyral multi-electrode renal denervation catheter instructions for use.
  2. Kandzari DE, Townsend RR, Kario K, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Renal Denervation in Patients Taking Antihypertensive Medications. J Am Coll Cardiol. November 7, 2023;82(19):1809–1823.
  3. Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Lancet. May 2, 2020;395(10234):1444-1451.
  4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2020.
  5. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
  6. Whelton P, Carey R, Aronow W, et. al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J AM Coll Cardiol. May 15, 2018;71(19):2199-2269.
  7. High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/highblood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
  8. How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to Kidney Damage or Failure. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-kidney-damage-or-failure. Accessed October 16, 2024.
  9. Sata Y, Head G, Denton K, May CN, Schlaich MP. Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System and Its Modulation in Renal Hypertension. Frontiers in medicine. 2018;5(82):1-10.
  10. Coates P, Tunev S, Trudel J, Hettrick DA. Time, Temperature, Power, and Impedance Considerations for Radiofrequency Catheter Renal Denervation. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. September 2022;42:171–177.

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