A New Option for Managing High Blood Pressure

Renal Denervation Therapy Using the Symplicity Spyral™ Blood Pressure Procedure

Dear Patient,

Managing high blood pressure (hypertension) can be difficult, even when making healthy lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medications. Many people continue to struggle with keeping their blood pressure under control over time.

A newer treatment option called the Symplicity Spyral™ blood pressure procedure may help certain patients with high blood pressure that has not improved enough with medications and lifestyle changes alone.

This minimally invasive procedure uses a thin tube called a catheter to deliver radiofrequency energy to nerves near the kidneys. These nerves can contribute to high blood pressure by sending overactive signals between the kidneys and the nervous system. The treatment is designed to safely reduce this nerve activity and help lower blood pressure.

Clinical studies have shown that patients experienced an average reduction of more than 9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure within 3–6 months after treatment, whether they were taking blood pressure medications or not. The Symplicity Spyral system has also demonstrated sustained blood pressure reductions for up to three years in real-world patients.

For most patients, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can usually go home the same day. Studies have shown a low rate of major complications within the first 30 days after the procedure.

You may benefit from this procedure if you:

• Have high blood pressure that remains uncontrolled despite lifestyle changes and medication
• Are interested in exploring an interventional treatment option after discussing the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider

Our Symplicity care team would be happy to work together with your healthcare provider to support your care. We can:

• Perform additional testing if needed to look for possible causes of high blood pressure
• Determine whether the Symplicity procedure may be appropriate for you
• Monitor your progress for 3 months after the procedure
• Keep your healthcare provider informed about your treatment and progress

After your follow-up care is complete, you will continue your ongoing care with your regular healthcare provider.

More than 25,000 patients worldwide have been treated with the Symplicity procedure. Several scientific organizations, including the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), recognize renal denervation as an additional treatment option for certain patients with high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is one of the leading preventable causes of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. This procedure may offer a new option for patients who continue to struggle with blood pressure control despite medications and lifestyle changes.

If you would like more information or would like to discuss whether this treatment may be right for you, please contact our office at 904-222-6656.

Sincerely,
Majdi Ashchi, DO, FACC, FSCAI, FABVM, FSVM
President and Medical Director

Dear Valued Patient,

We hope this message finds you well.

At Ashchi Heart & Vascular Center, our mission is to deliver the highest standard of cardiovascular and vascular care with compassion, precision, and respect for every individual we serve. We deeply value the trust you place in us and recognize that your time is important.

We would like to address an important topic: appointment wait times and access to specialty care.

Across the country, scheduling an appointment with a cardiovascular specialist can often take several weeks — and in many regions, even months. We believe that patients with cardiac or vascular conditions should not have to wait that long for evaluation.

For this reason, our practice has implemented a firm access policy:

Routine appointments are scheduled within a maximum of 10 working days.
Urgent or emergency consultations — including new or existing patients with new symptoms — are accommodated the same day or the next business day whenever possible.

When urgent concerns arise — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, possible stroke symptoms, or unstable vascular issues — these patients are added to an already full schedule. While this may occasionally extend the waiting time for patients who were previously scheduled, we believe it is the right thing to do.

Cardiac and vascular conditions can be time-sensitive. Patients experiencing chest pain or stroke symptoms cannot safely wait months for an appointment. When we adjust our schedule to accommodate urgent needs, it is because someone’s health may depend on it.

And one day, that patient may be you or someone you love.

We strive to keep our schedule running efficiently, and we continuously evaluate our processes, staffing coordination, and patient flow to reduce delays while maintaining the thorough, individualized care our patients deserve. When a patient requires additional time due to medical complexity or unexpected findings, we believe they deserve our full attention — just as you would if the situation were reversed.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding when delays occur. Your trust means everything to us, and we remain committed to providing timely, comprehensive, and compassionate cardiovascular care.

If you have any questions about your upcoming appointment or need assistance with scheduling, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of caring for you.

With sincere gratitude

Majdi Ashchi, DO
President Ashchi Heart and Vascular Center
Phone: 904-222-6656
Fax: 904-222-6657