High Blood Pressure Treatment
You have a new treatment option to treat high blood pressure at VHC Health. It’s called Symplicity SpyralTM. This procedure calms nerves near the kidney arteries that can raise blood pressure. It can help you if medicine and lifestyle changes don’t do enough to lower your blood pressure. VHC Health is the first health system in Arlington and the DC metro to offer this FDA‑approved treatment.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. It affects nearly half of all adults and often develops without any symptoms. Even though it’s common, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause serious health problems, like:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Vision problems
- Memory issues
Many people don’t feel any symptoms, which is why hypertension is often called a silent illness. Regular blood pressure checks are important, even if you feel fine.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure can develop for many reasons, including:
- Family history of hypertension
- Getting older
- Being overweight
- Lack of physical activity
- Too much salt in your diet
- Smoking or vaping
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress
- Certain medical conditions or medications
Sometimes, there is no clear cause. But the condition can still be treated.
Treating High Blood Pressure
Your primary care provider and the cardiologists at VHC Health can help you reduce blood pressure. Many adults receive prescription medicine to treat it. But less than a quarter of these adults get their blood pressure down to a safe level.
If medicine and lifestyle changes aren’t enough for you, Symplicity Spyral can help. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this treatment in November 2023. It’s less invasive than surgery, so you recover more quickly and easily.
