BLOOD PRESSURE PROCEDURE
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to frequently asked questions about high blood pressure and the renal denervation blood pressure procedure.
How many people have high blood pressure?
Around the world, high blood pressure affects an estimated 1.4 billion adults.1
What causes high blood pressure?
Many factors increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.2
Factors you can control
- Diet
- Exercise
- Smoking
Factors you can’t control
- Family history
- Race/ethnicity
- Age
- Gender
- Chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Symptoms (if they occur) can be mild or severe, including headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath.1 Symptoms of severe high blood pressure include severe chest pain, severe headache with confusion and blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, severe anxiety, and seizures.2
What makes high blood pressure dangerous?
One of the things that makes high blood pressure dangerous is that it often has no warning signs — people can have it and not know it.1 In people with high blood pressure, the heart works harder, which can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure.2,3 These risks can be very serious — especially if high blood pressure is left untreated.
What are the risks of the renal denervation blood pressure procedure?
Like any medical management or procedure, the renal denervation blood pressure procedure has risks. Adverse events include, but are not limited to, bruising and pain. Individual results may vary. For more information, and to explore whether the renal denervation procedure might be suitable for you, speak to your doctor. Details about specific risks and contraindications can be found here.
Where is the renal denervation blood pressure procedure performed?
The procedure is done in a hospital. Some people go home the same day and some stay overnight, depending on a doctor’s recommendation.
How long does the renal denervation blood pressure procedure take?
Every hospital has its own approach, but the procedure typically takes about an hour. Talk to your doctor for more information.
What happens during the renal denervation blood pressure procedure?
After sedation, the 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 reduce the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind.
When can I return to normal activities after the renal denervation blood pressure procedure?
Most people resume normal activities within a week following the procedure. The doctor who performs the procedure will provide individual guidance.
Should I keep taking my medication after the renal denervation blood pressure procedure?
Yes. Continue taking all blood pressure (and other) medication as prescribed unless your doctor recommends a change.
What about lifestyle changes after the renal denervation blood pressure procedure?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after your procedure can help reduce your blood pressure. That means getting your blood pressure checked, following your doctor’s advice, taking blood pressure (and other) medication as prescribed, and making healthy choices about diet, exercise, and smoking.
What follow-up appointments will I need?
At your doctor’s discretion, you will have a follow-up appointment with the doctor who performed the procedure and the doctor who treats your high blood pressure.
Always follow the instructions specified by your doctor or the nursing staff. Always follow the discharge instructions provided by your physician after your procedure.
*Medtronic provides this listing as a service. We have no vested interest in any specific physicians, nor do we provide any recommendation, assurance, or guarantee with respect to their service. This listing may not be a complete list of all physicians who provide this service. Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
References
1 World Health Organisation. Hypertension fact sheet. 2025. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. (Accessed April 14, 2026).
2 Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. June 2018;71(6):e13–e115.
3 High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension's effects on your body. Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868. Accessed July 21, 2023.