HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — There’s a reason why this blood pressure reading is a big deal for 62-year-old Crystal Sears. Just five months ago, it was 162 over 96.
After a minor heart attack in 2014, where she received a stent, Sears made lifestyle changes to lower her blood pressure and prevent further heart issues — losing weight, eating healthy and taking medication. But nothing was working.
“I was dealing with pounding on my chest,” Sears said. “I was dealing with shortness of breath. I couldn’t go to the bedroom to bathroom. It was really rough for me.”
But doctors then turned to a procedure called renal denervation.
So what is it?
It’s essentially a way to stop nerves from sending signals that raise blood pressure.
The procedure is simple: A catheter is inserted through the groin and guided to the kidneys, where radiofrequency energy is used to damage the nerves.
The minimally invasive procedure takes just a few hours and can be an option for people like Sears who have resistant hypertension.
“This is a new era in the treatment of hypertension knowing that we can definitely improve the outcome of our patients with this simple procedure,” said Dr. Juan Cervantes-Pastor with Memorial Regional Hospital.
Cervantes-Pastor performed the procedure and has been Sears’ doctor for more than a decade. He says high blood pressure is more common than many people realize.
According to health data, one in two Americans has high blood pressure, but only about 25 percent have it under control.
That means roughly 75 percent have elevated blood pressure that could lead to a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
“Hypertension is honestly a silent killer,” said Cervantes-Pastor. “You don’t feel anything unless you have an emergency and you come up with neurological symptoms to the ER with blood pressure that is over 180 or 200 and that’s when everyone is panicking. So we’re trying to prevent that from happening.”
For Cervantes-Pastor, seeing the results firsthand is rewarding.
He now gets to see his patient healthier, making major improvements and enjoying everyday life in ways she hasn’t for years.
“It feels so good,” said Sears. “To see my grandchildren run around and see them playing and im able to play with them. I can just do a lot of stuff with them.”
Even more improvements for Sears: She went from taking five medications a day to just three.
Cervantes-Pastor stresses that high blood pressure is largely preventable. Eating healthy and exercising can make significant changes that help keep not just the heart, but all organs, in check.
Local 10 invites you to join our mission to raise critical funds for heart education, research and treatment. To learn more and donate, visit the fundraising page of Local 10 anchor Jenise Fernandez.
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