WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Dr. Nizar Noureddine, an interventional cardiologist with the Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, recently performed the first renal denervation procedure at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.
This minimally invasive outpatient procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023, is designed to lower blood pressure in patients whose hypertension remains difficult to control despite taking multiple medications.
“Patients are considered to have resistant hypertension when they need multiple medications to control their blood pressure,” said Noureddine. “Unfortunately, taking three or more prescriptions can sometimes lead to expected side effects such as fatigue or shortness of breath. This procedure gives many of those patients the chance to reduce — and in some cases, eliminate — their reliance on blood pressure medication.”
During the procedure, a catheter is placed in the renal arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. A series of ultrasound energy pulses are then delivered through the catheter to carefully disrupt the sympathetic nerves surrounding the kidneys. These nerves — part of the body’s fight-or-flight response — play a role in regulating blood pressure.
“To be clear, this targeted procedure does not eliminate a patient’s fight-or-flight response,” said Noureddine. “We’re only addressing a small number of sympathetic nerves around the kidneys to safely and effectively reduce hypertension and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.”
Patients who take multiple medications for hypertension should speak with their physician to determine whether renal denervation may be an appropriate option.
Beyond the Triad, Novant Health also offers this procedure at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.
The Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute is nationally recognized for delivering exceptional cardiovascular care throughout the Carolinas. To find a location near you, visit Novant Health.org/Heart.
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About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
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