Scientists find possible cure for hypertension

The procedure called renal sympathetic-nerve ablation is likely to offer some respite to the sufferers who do not benefit from medication, the scientists stated.

"This is the most exciting development in hypertension since the advent of anti-hypertensive medication 50 years ago. It is hard to forecast the limitations and it could eventually be compared to medication," said Mel Lobo, a doctor and specialist in clinical hypertension with Britain's National Health Service.

The working of the procedure
In this technique, a wire is placed into a blood vessel, close to the kidneys. This wire disrupts the brain signals carried through the nerves which are responsible for arousing high blood pressure, explained the scientists. This way it helps in lowering the high blood pressure and causes no side effects.

Initial trials suggest that the procedure could show effective outcomes within three months, and could also allow some patients to come off the medication completely.

It could also reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, stroke, or kidney failures in patients suffering from hypertension by almost half.

Anthony Henry, first person to undergo the operation
Anthony Henry, 68 year old retired chef from Stratford in East London, is the first of the 110 patients taking part in the trial in Britain to undergo this operation.

Henry is a diabetic, and has suffered a stroke as well as a deep vein thrombosis, a condition in which a blood clot is formed in one of the deepest veins.

Prof Martin Rothman, the cardiologist at the London Chest Hospital who performed the operation which went for an hour, said that Henry started showing improvements in his blood pressure levels in just two weeks.

"This relatively trivial procedure has the potential to make a serious improvement in the quality of life for the patient. It is very efficient and can lower the blood pressure enough to reduce stroke mortality by 50 percent," Rothman said.

Hypertension/ high blood pressure
Hypertension is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure.

Mild to moderate levels of hypertension are usually asymptomatic. While accelerated hypertension is accompanied with headache, somnolence, confusion, visual disturbances, and nausea and vomiting.

It increases the likelihood of health problems like heart diseases or stroke. The risk factors include obesity, higher levels of cholesterol, high indulgence in smoking and drinking.