Frequently asked questions

Just like length can be measured in inches and weight can be measured in pounds, blood pressure is measured in “millimeters of mercury” or “mmHg.”

Around the world, high blood pressure affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults.¹ About 50% of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure.² Studies show that communities of color and underserved communities in the United States are disproportionately impacted by high blood pressure 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/ethnicity, age, gender, and chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease.

Symptoms of high blood pressure (if they occur) can be mild or severe, including headaches, nosebleeds, and difficulty breathing.¹ Symptoms of severe high blood pressure include chest pain, headache with confusion and blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, and anxiety.¹

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.

You will decide with your doctor if the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure is right for you. What you want plays a big role in this decision, so it’s important to educate yourself and be vocal about your preference.

The Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure is covered by Medicare and some commercial insurance policies for patients who meet certain criteria.⁶ Talk with your doctor and insurance company to confirm your coverage, understand requirements, and plan your next steps.

As with any minimally invasive procedure, the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure does have known risks. These risks should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure. Adverse events include, but are not limited to, bruising and pain.⁷

Not every person will experience the same results. Talk to your doctor to see if the Symplicity™ procedure is right for you. Your doctor should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you.

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.

Every hospital has its own approach, but generally speaking, the procedure takes about an hour. This does not include the time it takes to prepare for or recover from the procedure.

After you are sedated, your doctor will make a small incision to insert a very thin tube (catheter) into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor will then use this device to calm the excessive activity of the nerves near the kidney.⁸ The tube is then 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™ procedure.

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

Ask your doctor 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.