Northern Michigan's News LeaderHealthy Living: Tricking High Blood Pressure

Healthy Living: Tricking High Blood Pressure

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80-million people in the u-s suffer with high blood pressure. One in three of those can't get it under control. That can lead to heart disease, stroke or kidney failure. Now a new implant is literally changing the minds of those who can't get relief from drugs alone. Robyn Haines has your Healthy Living.

 

Doctors diagnose resistant hypertension when blood pressure stays high despite taking at least three drugs. Robert was taking seven. That's when Doctor Dominic Sica told Robert about an investigational implant that could help him control his blood pressure, he decided to give it a try… even if it was a mind trick of sorts. Here's how it works: the hypertension device is implanted into the chest and attaches two electrodes to the carotid arteries. It then sends a signal to the brain, fooling it into thinking the blood pressure is higher than it is.

 

Patients may still need to take some medications. Robert went from seven to four...and his blood pressure dropped from 225 over 125, to 128 over 68. The device is designed for people who have severe cases of high blood pressure that can't be controlled with medication. Patients must also be committed to having the battery surgically replaced every few years.

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