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 1.4 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.^3,4

There are many factors that increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.⁵ 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

High blood pressure 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.^5,6 These risks can be very serious — especially if your high blood pressure is left untreated.

You will decide with your doctor if the Symplicity™ 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.

Insurance coverage can vary. Medicare and some private insurance plans cover the procedure for eligible patients. Talk with your doctor to determine if you qualify.

The most frequently reported side effects include headache and back pain. Some patients experience bruising or a firm area under the skin (known as hematoma) where the catheter is inserted into the body. In very rare instances, blood vessel injury or narrowing may occur. Blood pressure is monitored after the procedure and medications may need to be adjusted by your healthcare team over time.

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 itself.

You will be given medication to make you relaxed, sleepy, and comfortable. Then, 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 kidneys, a process called renal denervation.⁷ The tube is then removed, leaving nothing behind.

Side effects can include headache, back pain, and access site issues like bruising or hematoma. In very rare cases, blood vessel injury or narrowing may occur. Blood pressure is monitored after the procedure and medications may need to be adjusted by your healthcare team over time.

Renal denervation is the clinical term for the type of procedure performed using the Symplicity™ system. The Symplicity™ procedure is a specific renal denervation treatment. Your doctor or insurance company may use the term “renal denervation” when discussing coverage or medical records.