New care option available for uncontrolled high blood pressure

People living with uncontrolled high blood pressure, known as resistant hypertension, have a new treatment option from Blessing Health.

“Hypertension in general – and resistant hypertension in particular - is a silent killer,” said nurse practitioner Taylor Welch, MSN, AG-ACNP, Nephrology and Intensive Care, Blessing Health.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. 
Welch says as many as 50% of Americans have high blood pressure – some diagnosed, some not.  Of those diagnosed as many as 80% have high blood pressure that is not well controlled.  

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) define resistant hypertension as blood pressure that remains above a reading of 140/90 despite use of three blood pressure medications, including a diuretic. The NIH estimates 9 million Americans live with resistant hypertension 

How the Hypertension Clinic can help
Blessing Health’s Hypertension Clinic provides a comprehensive approach to care consisting of care coordination, dietitian consultation, advanced diagnostics, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and, for select individuals, renal denervation. Renal denervation is a minimally invasive treatment that disables the nerves in the kidneys that help regulate blood pressure but are malfunctioning. Welch says the procedure can lead to a “significant reduction” in blood pressure, as much as 8-to-18-points over a period of time.  

The Hypertension Clinic provider team includes nephrologists Drs. Justo Gonzalez-Trapaga, MD, FACP, and Thejeswi Pujar, MD, MBA, FACP, and nurse practitioner Welch; and cardiologists Drs. Jeffrey Cook, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Steven Krause, DO, MHA, FACOI.

To qualify for care from the Hypertension Clinic, a person must have a blood pressure that remains above 140/90 despite being on three medications, and receive a referral from their primary care provider to the Hypertension Clinic in the Blessing Health Nephrology Department in Quincy. Individuals with questions may call Taylor Welch at 217-214-6260.