Hypertension

High blood pressure increases a patient's risk of heart attack, stroke and other diseases. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about 1 in 4 of those individuals has their hypertension under control. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the epidemic of hypertension world-wide will exceed 1.56 billion people by 2025. Major efforts are underway to better control this primary risk factor through screenings, medication and invasive procedures such as renal denervation in severely uncontrolled patients.

New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority
"This tool empowers patients and clinicians to work together, putting prevention at the center of care," said Ami B. Bhatt, MD, ACC chief innovation officer. "What we really want to do is create patient agency and reach as many people as we can for earlier detection of high blood pressure."
Medtronic’s RDN system approved in Japan
Hypertension is a significant issue in Japan, impacting an estimated 43 million adults. Medtronic's Symplicity Spyral RDN system is now approved for the treatment of those patients.
Recor Medical gains historic approval for its ultrasound RDN system
Recor Medical's Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System is the first medical device approved for the treatment of hypertension in Japan. It first gained FDA approval back in 2023.
FDA clears new trial of first-in-class treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension
The new drug, VTB-10, previously received the FDA's orphan drug designation in 2024.
New hypertension guidelines embrace early treatment, updated risk assessments and renal denervation
New ACC/AHA recommendations encourage clinicians to take a proactive approach when managing patients with elevated or high blood pressure. The inclusion of renal denervation in this document represents clear progress for a relatively new technology.

Salt substitutes reduce hypertension risk by up to 40%

Many patients do not want to limit their salt intake, even when a doctor tells them the numerous health benefits. Salt substitutes may represent another way forward.

The Medtronic Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system uses a catheter that curls in the renal artery to place radiofrequency electrodes against the vessel wall to ablate the nerves that control vasodilation, so the artery can be propped in the fully open position.

First US patient treated with Medtronic’s FDA-approved renal denervation system

Interventional cardiologist David Kandzari, MD, performed the procedure just days after the device received full FDA approval.

ADHD medications associated with heightened CVD risk

"Although the effectiveness of ADHD medications has been demonstrated ... concerns remain regarding their potential cardiovascular safety," one research explained.

Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation

FDA approves another renal denervation system for hypertension

This is the second time in a matter of weeks the FDA has approved an RDN system for uncontrolled hypertension. The SCAI issued a statement about this trend, calling it a “game-changer for both interventional cardiology and the treatment of hypertension."

Recor Medical's Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System

FDA approves first renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension

The system, designed for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are unresponsive to medication, uses ultrasound ablation to target nerves in the renal arteries, increasing blood flow. This approval comes just months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of the system.

ChatGPT tackles hypertension: Popular AI model a helpful resource for patients with high blood pressure

The study's authors communicated with ChatGPT-4 in both English and Japanese, noting that it appeared to struggle more with the complexities of the Japanese language.

Heart-healthy diets may help women limit signs of cognitive decline later in life

More than 5,000 women were interviewed about their eating habits from 1985 to 1991, and then researchers followed up with them 30 years later. The full study was published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Dihydropyridines such as amlodipine have been the topic of some debate in recent months due to fears they lead to significant side effects.

Hypertension

New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority

Medtronic’s RDN system approved in Japan

Recor Medical gains historic approval for its ultrasound RDN system

FDA clears new trial of first-in-class treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension

New hypertension guidelines embrace early treatment, updated risk assessments and renal denervation