Permanent control for blood pressure

Wednesday, 18 September 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

While permanently controlling high blood pressure may seem impossible, such chronic medical conditions can now be tackled with advanced technology. Using a procedure called ‘Renal Sympathetic Denervation,’ Mount Elizabeth Hospital Renal Medicine Specialist Dr. Pary Sivaraman affirmed that the quality of life of those having high blood pressure can be improved. This treatment method was introduced to the world five years ago. “Singapore has been looking at Renal Sympathetic Denervation for the past two years. Medical experts have found that by going for

this procedure, high blood pressure and conditions arising from it, such as damage to the kidneys can be can be avoided,” he stated. Pointing out on how the procedure works, Dr. Sivaraman said it involves in blocking the nerves between the brain and kidney. “These nerves are present on the outside of the blood vessel and are connected to the kidney. The feedback to control the blood pressure comes from the brain to the kidney and vice-versa. After years of research it was found that by knocking out the nerves that carry the feedback, blood pressure can be controlled. In fact it improves tremendously,” he explained. Although this procedure is yet to be introduced in Sri Lanka, Renal Sympathetic Denervation is common in all the advanced economies and has been adapted as a routine procedure according to Dr. Sivaraman. When questioned on the number of patients treated with this procedure, he said even though it is difficult to state a number, an increasing trend is observed. Furthermore, he highlighted that the procedure is performed by a radiologist or a cardiologist. Emphasising that the Renal Sympathetic Denervation is not a surgery, Dr. Sivaraman said: “It is a simple process, very much like an angiogram. Most patients require staying in the hospital only for a day and can continue with their day to day activities within three days.”