Survey Finds Most Physicians Want New Ways to Control Patients’ Blood Pressure

A survey of more than 200 US cardiologists and nephrologists conducted by the National Kidney Foundation and Medtronic found that physicians are seeking new approaches to lowering patients’ blood pressure.

Nearly all (95%) surveyed physicians agreed there is an increased urgency to act to reduce uncontrolled hypertension. Hypertension affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and uncontrolled blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure among Americans. Just 40% of survey respondents thought current treatment options were adequate, and 75% agreed that a significant number of their patients are unable to reach their target blood pressure goals, regardless of medication levels.

The survey also found that more than 60% of patients are unaware of nonpharmacological options for managing hypertension, including lifestyle changes and renal denervation, a minimally invasive procedure that delivers radiofrequency energy to nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and contribute to high blood pressure.