Renal denervation (RDN)

Private renal denervation with Circle Health Group

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the worldwide leading preventable cause of death, primarily due to its strong association with increased risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure, which is why blood pressure management is essential. 

If you have already tried lifestyle modification and multiple medications but find that your blood pressure remains elevated, it may be due to overactive nerves around the kidney arteries. Renal denervation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses gentle, targeted energy to calm these signals, which can significantly help improve blood pressure control when other treatments aren’t enough.

To find out more about renal denervation, call or book online to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced cardiologists near you. 

What is Renal denervation (RDN)?

Renal denervation, often referred to as RDN and sometimes called renal artery denervation, is a minimally invasive, catheter based procedure designed to help lower blood pressure in people with resistant or uncontrolled hypertension. It is typically recommended when lifestyle changes and medications have not been enough to achieve target blood pressure levels.

The procedure works by targeting the overactive sympathetic nerves located in the walls of the renal arteries, which play a key role in regulating blood pressure. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel and guided to the renal arteries, where radiofrequency energy is used to disrupt these nerves.

What are the benefits of renal denervation?

By reducing sympathetic nerve activity, renal denervation can lead to:

• A sustained reduction in blood pressure over months to years
• Fewer blood pressure medication requirements in some cases
• Improved long term cardiovascular risk profile when combined with lifestyle modifications and medications

RDN is considered the third pillar of hypertension management, alongside lifestyle and drug therapy. A major meta-analysis of hypertension treatment trials has shown that reducing systolic blood pressure by just 10 mmHg can lower overall mortality by 13%, with even more pronounced benefits for cardiovascular outcomes.

Is renal denervation right for me?

Before deciding on RDN treatment, you will need an assessment to determine if it is the right treatment for you. If you think renal denervation could help you, or if you have been recommended the treatment by your GP or another healthcare professional, book an appointment with one of our consultant cardiologists, who will help you decide whether this is the right option for your personal circumstances.

How much does renal denervation cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on various factors, including which hospital and consultant you choose, your medical circumstances and reasons for having the treatment, and whether RDN is part of a wider treatment plan.

If you are paying for your own treatment, we offer fixed-price packages including aftercare. We’ll give you a full breakdown of costs before you book, and you’ll be reassured that there are no hidden fees down the line. We also offer flexible payment options so you can spread the cost over a time that suits you.

If you have private medical insurance, renal denervation may be covered by your policy. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.

What happens during an initial consultation with a cardiologist?

During your initial consultation, your consultant cardiologist will:

• Review your medical history and current medications
• Confirm that you have been consistent with your medications and that you’ve made any recommended lifestyle modifications
• Conduct blood and urine tests as needed
• Request imaging of the renal arteries (via CT scan or MRI) to ensure suitability

Once your assessment is completed, our team will review your results to see whether renal denervation is a suitable private treatment option for you. Teamwork is an important part of your journey, your case will be discussed in the multi-disciplinary team meeting and if you are eligible, you will typically receive treatment within few weeks.

What happens during the RDN procedure?

Renal denervation is carried out using a minimally invasive technique, meaning there are no large cuts or open surgery. A small access point is created at the top of your leg, where your consultant cardiologist will carefully guide a thin catheter through a blood vessel toward the arteries supplying your kidneys. High definition, real time imaging helps us position the catheter precisely. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and you will also receive light sedation, so you feel calm and relaxed throughout.

Once the catheter reaches the kidney arteries, your consultant cardiologist will deliver short, controlled bursts of energy to gently interrupt the overactive nerves that contribute to high blood pressure. After the procedure, you will rest in a comfortable recovery area for a few hours, and most patients are able to return home later the same day.

Recovering from renal denervation

You’ll return to see your consultant cardiologist a few weeks after the procedure to ensure your recovery is progressing well. Over the following six months, you will be reviewed at regular intervals to monitor your blood pressure and check that your kidney function remains healthy. Many patients notice a small drop in blood pressure soon after renal denervation. For most, the improvement continues gradually over the next 12 months. As your blood pressure stabilises, you may also find that you require fewer medications or lower doses than before.

Potential risks and side effects of renal denervation

RDN is an effective and very safe procedure and major complications are rare. The most common side effects are bleeding or bruising at the site of catheter entry (in your groin).

There is a small risk of artery damage, kidney injury, infection, or low blood pressure. But serious complications occur in less than 1% of patients. Your consultant will talk you through all the potential risks of renal denervation before you choose to go ahead. Don’t hesitate to raise any worries you might have, however small they seem.

Why choose Circle Health Group for renal denervation (RDN)?

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Transparent fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Clinical sources and further reading

1. Renal denervation, University Hospitals Bristol
2. Renal denervation, Cleveland Clinic
3. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet