Australian researchers have introduced a new device which helps control blood pressure in drug-resistant patients by zapping the kidney nerves, opening up new avenues in blood pressure treatment.

Nerve zapping technique was found to be successful even in the past. But, with the advent of new medicines doctors stopped using this method for the treatment of high blood pressure patients. This new device uses radio waves to cut the nerves to and from the heart and the kidney. These nerves called the ‘sympathetic nerves’ contribute to high blood pressure in human beings. "This could revolutionize the way we treat medication-resistant hypertension," says Suzanne Oparil, MD, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

The drug- resistant high blood pressure cases are on the rise around the globe. There are patients who use three four drugs to control high blood pressure. Globally, this is the leading cause of untimely death. In America alone there are 75 million people with high blood pressure and among them only around 60 percent are on treatment. "Many patients are uncontrolled on four or five drugs and have truly refractory hypertension," Oparil said. "If it cannot be controlled medically, it carries a high cardiovascular risk."

The study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions studied around 100 people with high blood pressure. It also was published in Lancet. When patients used this device along with the medication, top reading dropped 32 points in six months. 20 percent of the patients who used this device have cut down on their medication after six months compared to 8 percent solely on medication.

This device was tested safe on all the patients tested except one and damages some nerves and arteries. Europe has already approved the use of this device in high blood pressure treatment and is waiting for FDA approval. But scientists feel that this is not the ultimate cure for high blood pressure.