Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said
80% of patients with failed kidneys had high blood pressure which is
major contributor to Chronic Kidney Disease which kills forty people
a day in Australia.
"This
breakthrough procedure entails inserting a device into a major blood
vessel in the groin, enabling scientists to adjust blood pressure by
burning off nerves near the kidney itself. The nerves are embedded
in the vessel walls and are known to play a major role in the body's
regulation of blood pressure.
"The new treatment was reported to cause a significant and
sustained drop in blood pressure and to be particularly effective in
blood pressure resistant to therapy.
"Resistant blood pressure is frequently seen in people with
Chronic Kidney Disease and results in the need to take more than 4-5
different types of blood pressure pills each day.
"This means the new treatment, if proven in larger trials, would
be an attractive option for people with Chronic Kidney Disease and
poor blood pressure control."
Dr Mathew said the announcement comes at a time when kidney
deaths in Australia have jumped by 133% in the past three years
according to new figures released by the ABS.
"High blood pressure can independently cause Chronic Kidney
Disease (CKD), contribute to its development or even be the result
of CKD. Studies show that as kidney function worsens the likelihood
that a patient will have high blood pressure increases.
Dr Mathew said the treatment of high blood pressure has become
the most important intervention in the management of all forms of
chronic kidney disease.
Nearly one billion people worldwide have high blood pressure and
that number is expected to increase to 1.56 billion by 2025.
"High blood pressure is an important risk factor in chronic
kidney disease patients and needs to be carefully monitored. When
people suffer from high blood pressure it puts more stress on blood
vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys. When this
happens kidneys cannot filter wastes from the blood properly.
"Achieving the recommended blood pressure goals can reduce the
risk of needing dialysis or experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
"Our modern lifestyle and pressure of work has placed time
constraints on many people to relax, have time out for exercise or
to consider the impact of fast food diets which adds obesity issues
to the prevention and treatment of kidney disease."
Media Enquiries:
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney
Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith, National Media
Communications, Kidney Health Australia (03) 9818 5700,
Mobile:
0417 329 201
