An Australian hospital is leading the way in the fight against the world’s biggest killer, with a groundbreaking trial showing remarkable results in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Royal Perth Hospital is conducting a world-first trial using a new procedure that targets nerves in the kidneys and liver to combat hypertension, known as the silent killer.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: World-first hypertension treatment shows remarkable results
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Rebekah Pythian was just 27 years old when she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, sending her into a panic.
“I went back to the car, bawled my eyes out because I was so scared. I was like, what happens? Like, am I dying?” she said.
After trying eight different medications without success, Pythian was selected for the revolutionary trial. The procedure uses a catheter to help silence overactive nerves in the kidneys and liver.
“We know that in people who have high blood pressure, who have diabetes, these nerves are highly activated,” said Professor Markus Schlaich, a hypertension specialist at Royal Perth Hospital.
Australian hospital’s world-first trial shows breakthrough results for hypertension patients Credit: 7NEWS
Pythian remained awake during the two-hour keyhole procedure and was able to go home the next day. The results have been life changing.
“My blood pressure is, from first check-up to now, is down 20 points. It’s a bit of a relief. Phew,” she said.
Schlaich said the reduction was clinically significant.
“Ten points reduction is usually associated with around 20 per cent reduction in risk for major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke. This is a significant, clinically really relevant blood pressure reduction,” he said.
The procedure uses a catheter to help silence overactive nerves in the kidneys and liver. Credit: 7NEWS
Globally, hypertension kills 11 million people a year, with more than 25,000 deaths in Australia alone. It’s estimated one third of the population has high blood pressure, but half of them don’t even know it.
“We encourage everyone to have their blood pressure measured with a GP, perhaps in a pharmacy. Know your numbers,” Schlaich said.
For Pythian, her new numbers have given her a new lease on life.
“All these things that I’ve been, like, going, I can’t do that because my blood pressure. And then I can go, well, you know what? I actually can do those now,” she said.
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