UPMC Cardiologists Offering New Procedure for Hard-To-Treat High Blood Pressure

June 24, 2025

HARRISBURG, Pa. – UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. is offering new hope to patients with hard-to-treat high blood pressure through a procedure called renal denervation. The treatment, which is meant to lower blood pressure in those with resistant hypertension, was first performed at UPMC Harrisburg on June 20. The two patients to receive the treatment are doing well and recovering at home.

Renal denervation is a new treatment option for resistant hypertension that previously was only available to patients living in central Pennsylvania through clinical trials. The now-approved catheter-based procedure lowers blood pressure by reducing the activity of, or denervating, the overactive nerves in the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

“People living with resistant hypertension have few treatment options, so being able to bring this new approach to our region gives these patients another possibility,” said Dr. William Bachinsky, interventional cardiologist at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa., who performed the procedure. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the treatment of heart and vascular disease across Pennsylvania.”

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects nearly half of U.S. adults. If untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, and other heart, brain, and kidney conditions. Physicians initially recommend lifestyle modifications or medication to treat high blood pressure, but for one out of every four adults, these treatments aren’t effective to control their condition, known as resistant hypertension.

“Offering patients with a tough-to-manage condition a new treatment option is just another example of the how UPMC brings life changing medicine to our patients,” said Dr. Hemal Gada, president of UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa.

For more information on the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa., visit UPMC.com/CentralPaHeart.