Cost effectiveness of blood pressure device...(to other parts of the body that relax th...),Health

Rheos is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials at sites throughout the U.S., including Rochester where physicians were the first in the nation to implant the device back in 2005. The device is also being used in a newer study which is evaluating its utility in treating patients with congestive heart failure.

While the majority of individuals can effectively control their blood pressure through nutrition, exercise, and medication, there are individuals who do not adequately respond to treatment, which often consists of a regimen of multiple medications. This condition is called drug resistant hypertension and the Rheos device is currently being testing in individuals with this condition.

Individuals with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension are at a far greater risk for a number of adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, kidney disease, and death. For example, with every 20mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure the risk of stroke doubles. By reducing blood pressure, the Rheos device lowers an individual's risk for these adverse health events.

Using data from two large population-based studies the Framingham Study and the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial researchers were able create hypothetical cohorts of individuals with and without the lower blood pressure benefits of the device. Using this data, researchers were then able to project out over time the health care costs for each group.

Individuals without the device would be at greater risk and therefore have a greater incidence of adverse health events resulting in hi
'/>"/>