New treatment lowers blood pressure for difficult cases

admin 2025年1月25日

Intermediate

Health & Lifestyle, Health & Lifestyle - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

If you could invent a new treatment for a health issue, what kind of problem would you focus on solving?
What do you think doctors should consider when deciding if a treatment is right for someone?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

hypertension /hahy-per-TEN-shuhn/

[noun] – a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently higher than normal
The doctor explained that hypertension could lead to severe complications if left untreated.

stroke /strohk/

[noun] – a sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, sometimes causing a loss of the ability to move particular parts of the body
The report highlighted the link between poor diet and the risk of strokes.

dementia /dih-MEN-shuh/

[noun] – a medical condition that affects especially old people, causing the memory and other mental abilities to gradually become worse, and leading to confused behavior
Researchers are looking for new ways to delay the onset of dementia in patients with cognitive decline.

trial /TRAHY-uhl/

[noun] – a test conducted to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, or performance of something, often related to medical or scientific studies
Clinical trials for the new cancer drug are showing promising results.

ensure /en-SHOOR/

[verb] – to make certain that something happens or is done
The manager worked late to ensure the project was completed on time.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Hypertension, a long-term condition affecting nearly half of adults in the U.S., poses serious health risks like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and dementia. A new treatment called renal denervation is gaining attention as a possible solution for people whose high blood pressure cannot be controlled with medication. Approved by the FDA in late 2023, this minimally invasive procedure targets overactive renal nerves, which are key in regulating blood pressure. Clinical trials show it lowers systolic blood pressure by an average of 8 to 10 points, with some patients seeing greater improvements. However, it’s not suitable for everyone, including those with kidney disease or narrowed arteries.

Renal denervation involves threading a catheter to the kidneys, where ultrasound or radiofrequency energy is used to disable specific nerve pathways. The procedure takes about an hour and is currently available at select hospitals, such as Massachusetts General Brigham. Experts are working to refine eligibility guidelines and ensure insurance coverage, as the procedure costs several thousand dollars. While it offers hope, it does not work for everyone, and long-term effects are still being studied. The American Heart Association advises patients and doctors to weigh the potential benefits and risks. Combined with lifestyle changes and medication, renal denervation may help those struggling with treatment-resistant hypertension.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

What is hypertension, and why is it dangerous?
Who might benefit from renal denervation?
When was renal denervation approved by the FDA?
What part of the body does renal denervation target?
How does renal denervation lower blood pressure?

Discussion questions