Renal Denervation

At UChicago Medicine, we offer renal denervation, a specialized procedure that may help lower blood pressure when medications and lifestyle changes are not enough. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading contributor to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. High blood pressure that remains uncontrolled despite multiple treatments is called resistant hypertension, and renal denervation may be an option to help manage it.

Call 773-702-9461 to Schedule an Appointment

What is renal denervation?

Renal denervation works by calming nerves that run near the kidney arteries, reducing adrenaline flow and helping control blood pressure. During the procedure, a doctor slides a thin tube (catheter) into the blood vessels leading to the kidneys. The doctor uses energy, like heat or sound waves, to make these nerves less active. Both kidneys are treated in one procedure to help lower blood pressure without leaving any implanted device behind.

What are the benefits of renal denervation?

• It treats the cause of some types of high blood pressure and can help lower blood pressure when other treatments have not worked.
• Renal denervation is not surgery, so recovery is often quicker.
• There is no implanted device left behind after the procedure.
• It may make it possible to take fewer medicines or at lower doses.

Who can have renal denervation?

Renal denervation is for people with resistant high blood pressure when:

• Systolic blood pressure (the top number) stays at 140 mmHg or higher, even while taking three or more blood pressure medicines, including a water pill (diuretic)
• Other reasons for high blood pressure have been checked and ruled out
• The kidneys and arteries are healthy enough for the procedure

Our team reviews each person’s health and needs to see if this treatment is a good fit.

Safety and Results

Research shows renal denervation is safe and can help lower blood pressure for a long time.

• Most people have only mild and short-term side effects such as soreness at the site where the catheter was inserted.
• There is no permanently implanted device left behind (such as a stent)
• There is no evidence of long-term kidney damage
• The procedure can be done along with patients taking regular blood pressure medicine

Call 773-702-9461 to Schedule an Appointment