Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center cardiologists introduce new tool to reduce blood pressure by calming renal nerves
PR contact: Rob Seman
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SUMMIT, NJ – MAY 2026 – Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center recently began performing a new procedure that helps reduce high blood pressure by calming overactive nerves near the kidneys.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023, the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system involves a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure.
The procedure – also known as the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure - is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with high blood pressure (or hypertension) when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure.
Lowering blood pressure through this mechanism has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart failure, particularly for patients who have not responded adequately to lifestyle changes or medication therapy.
“Many people with hypertension struggle with control over their condition,” said interventional cardiologist David Bartov, MD, medical director of Atlantic Health Overlook’s cardiac catheterization laboratory, who performed the first Symplicity procedure at Atlantic Health Overlook in early March. “Renal denervation is a very exciting advancement that now makes control and peace of mind possible for many patients with high blood pressure.”
Hypertension is the single largest contributor to death and affects about 50% of U.S. adults. Of the U.S. adults who are aware of their hypertension, about 80% do not have it under control.
The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure, which can lower serious health risks. After mild sedation, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney.
This process is known as ablation, in which radio frequency or ultrasound technology heats the tissue containing nerves in the fat cells near the renal artery. This reduces the release of the hormones that cause high blood pressure and does not affect the surrounding tissue. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. Dr. Bartov said renal denervation targets the connection between your brain and kidneys that results in high blood pressure, which is also how many blood pressure-lowering medications work.
“Renal denervation can reduce the number of medications some people need to take to control their blood pressure,” said Dr. Bartov. “For people who don’t tolerate their medications or have significant side effects or interactions, renal denervation should be considered an important option.”
The Symplicity renal denervation procedure takes approximately one hour and Dr. Bartov said that patients go home the same day as their procedure.
“Lowering your blood pressure is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart and brain,” said Dr. Bartov. “There’s no question that prevention of cardiovascular disease is better than treatment after a cardiovascular event.”
About Atlantic Health
Atlantic Health is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of 25,000 team members and more than 5,667 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 14 counties and 7.5 million people.
The not-for-profit system offers more than 550 sites of care, including its eight hospitals: Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Atlantic Health Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ.
The system includes Atlantic Medical Group, part of a physician enterprise that makes up one of the largest multispecialty practices in New Jersey with almost 2,000 physicians and advance practice providers. Joined with Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners they form part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 4,000 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.
Atlantic Health provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 26 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Health Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.
Founded by Atlantic Health, the Healthcare Transformation Consortium is a partnership of seven regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability. Atlantic Health has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University, is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.