High blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure can worsen over time, especially when symptoms are not well controlled. If medications are no longer providing results, it may be time to consider a more advanced treatment option.
Barostim™is an advanced, FDA-approved device-based therapy that works with your body’s natural systems to help regulate blood pressure and improve heart function. At the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, patients have access to the latest technologies, including innovative treatments like Barostim, delivered by a highly experienced team of heart specialists.
FAQs
Barostim is a small, implantable device designed to rebalance your body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls key functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation.
It works by activating the baroreflex, which senses and regulates the body’s:
- Blood pressure
- Heart function
- Blood vessel activity
- Fluid balance
In patients with heart failure or resistant hypertension, this system becomes disordered and can trigger a constant “fight or flight” response that puts extra strain on the heart.
Barostim helps restore balance and reduce unnecessary strain.
Barostim targets a key communication pathway between the heart, blood vessels, and brain. Specialized sensors in the carotid artery, called baroreceptors, continuously send signals to the brain about blood pressure and circulation. In heart failure, those signals weaken, causing the brain to overcompensate and increase stress signals that make the heart work harder.
Barostim delivers gentle electrical pulses to these sensors, helping to:
- Increase healthy signaling to the brain
- Reduce the body’s stress response
- Relax blood vessels
- Decrease strain on the heart
The result is a more efficient cardiovascular system. The device does not need to be implanted into the heart; it is placed under the skin near the collarbone.
Because Barostim addresses the underlying signaling imbalance rather than just symptoms, it can deliver significant improvements for many patients.
Patients receiving Barostim therapy have experienced:
- Significant improvement in overall quality of life
- Increased ability to remain active, including walking farther distances
- Improved functional status, with many patients moving to a less severe heart failure class
Barostim therapy has also been associated with improvements in heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, to help patients feel more comfortable during everyday activities. Patients can also experience fewer hospital visits and more stability in their condition over time, along with the improved ability to maintain their independence.
Barostim therapy may be right for you if you have:
- Resistant hypertension – high blood pressure that remains elevated despite taking multiple medications
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction – when the heart can’t pump blood effectively
Heart failure is a progressive condition, and ongoing symptoms can increase the risk of hospitalization and impact your quality of life. Barostim is designed for patients who are still experiencing symptoms despite medical therapy to offer another option when medications alone are not enough.
The procedure is performed in the hospital by a specialized team. You will be provided with anesthesia, so you are comfortable and asleep during the procedure. The small device will then be placed just below the collarbone, and a thin wire will be gently guided to a blood vessel in the neck to connect with the body’s natural blood pressure sensors. The incision is small and closed after the device is placed.
- Most patients go home within a day
- Mild soreness at the incision site can occur, but is temporary
- Most people quickly return to normal activities, as directed by their doctor
- Follow-up visits will continue to adjust the device as needed and ensure the best results
Learn How to Get Started
If you’re interested in learning whether Barostim therapy may be right for you, start by speaking with your primary care physician or cardiologist.
They can evaluate your condition and refer you to a specialist who offers Barostim therapy at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Saddleback Medical Center.