Nearly 6.5 million Americans suffer from heart failure, with an estimated 960,000 new patients being diagnosed every year. While medication can be effective for many, some patients may require a heart transplant if other treatments fail. However, a new device is providing hope for those with failing hearts.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, and without proper treatment, individuals with weak heart muscles are at risk of progressive dysfunction or sudden death. Traditional treatments include medication, stents, bypass surgery, and pacemakers. But the Barostim device offers a new approach to managing heart disease.
Dr. Richard Jantz, a cardiologist at Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates, explains that the Barostim device works by modulating the autonomic nervous system and stimulating the carotid sinus to regulate adrenaline levels and vagal tone. By activating proper regulation of heart, kidney, and vascular function, the workload on the heart is decreased, allowing for more effective pumping. This can improve quality of life, functional capacity, and reduce the risk of hospitalization or the need for a heart transplant.
One patient who has benefited from the Barostim device is Eric Berkowitz. He shares that he can now walk a two-mile track without struggling to breathe after undergoing an outpatient procedure to implant the device. The FDA-approved procedure involves inserting wires into the carotid artery that send electrical signals to stimulate the carotid sinus. New studies are exploring whether it’s possible to implant these wires without any incisions at all.
The Barostim device provides a promising alternative to traditional treatments for heart disease and offers new hope for patients with failing hearts. With continued research and development in this area, we can expect even more innovative solutions to manage this debilitating condition in the future.
In conclusion, Heart failure affects millions of Americans each year with 960 thousand new patients being diagnosed annually while medication may not be enough for everyone some may require a heart transplant if other treatments fail but thanks to technology there’s now hope for those with failing hearts through devices like Barostim that modulate autonomic nervous system stimulating carotid sinus which regulate adrenaline levels and vagal tone by activating proper regulation of heart kidney vascular function reducing workload on heart enabling more effective pumping improving quality of life functional capacity reducing risk hospitalization or need for transplant
