Frequently asked questions

Around the world, high blood pressure affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults.¹ About 50% of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure.² Studies show that communities of color and underserved communities in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by hypertension risks.³

There are many factors that increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.⁴ Some you can control, such as what you eat, how much you exercise, and whether you smoke. Some you can’t control, such as your family history, race, age, gender, and chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease.

Symptoms (if they occur) can be mild or severe, including headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath.⁴ Symptoms of severe high blood pressure include, chest pain, headache with confusion and blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and seizures.⁴

What makes high blood pressure dangerous is that it often has no warning signs — so you could have it and not know it.¹ If you have high blood pressure, your heart works harder, which can raise your risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure.^4,5 These risks can be very serious — especially if your high blood pressure is left untreated.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about coverage for the Symplicity blood pressure procedure. Your health insurance benefits may cover the Symplicity procedure.

The Symplicity blood pressure procedure has risks like any minimally invasive procedure. Not every person will experience the same results. The Medtronic Symplicity blood pressure procedure does have known risks. These risks should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure.

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.

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.

After you are sedated, your doctor makes a small incision and inserts a very thin tube (catheter) into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then uses the catheter to calm the excessive activity of the nerves near the kidney.⁶ The tube is removed, leaving no device behind. Adverse events include, but are not limited to, bruising and pain. Results may vary.

Learn what to expect after having the Symplicity blood pressure procedure.

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

Ask your doctors about lifestyle changes that are right for you.

After the procedure, at your doctor’s discretion, you will have a follow-up appointment with the doctor who performed it. Later, you will have a follow-up with the doctor who treats your high blood pressure.