It is a health concern that tens of thousands of people battle every day-- the struggle to keep their blood pressure in check. Oftentimes, it involves numerous medications and lifestyle changes. In some cases even that combination is not enough, and patients are faced with potentially life-ending consequences. The struggles are real for many people around the world. That is why a FDA-approved clinical trial at the UK College of Medicine is so important. Surgeons recently implanted the RheosR System into the first clinical trial patient. When the device was turned on, the patient’s blood pressure measurements significantly decreased. The patient reported no discomfort. The device is designed to reduce blood pressure by using small electrical signals to influence the body’s blood pressure regulation system, called the baroreflex. The Rheos System is a pacemaker-like device that is implanted under the skin in the upper chest cavity and connected to two leads that are placed on the carotid arteries.
