Medtronic today announced it has been named to the prestigious FORTUNE 2024 ‘Change the World’ list, for the Medtronic Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure. The annual list aims to showcase companies that are making a difference to combat global issues and drive positive social or environmental change.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading modifiable cause of heart attack, stroke and death. Despite available medications and lifestyle interventions, control rates remain low. In fact, hypertension affects about 50% of adults in the United States and nearly 80% don't have it under control.^1-2 These challenges speak to the possibility that patients may benefit from an adjunctive treatment option – in addition to lifestyle changes and medication - to better manage their blood pressure.

The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. After sedation, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a proven way to help reduce blood pressure when medications and lifestyle changes aren’t enough.^3-5

“It’s an honor to have the Symplicity blood pressure procedure recognized with such a prestigious award,” said Jason Weidman, senior vice president and president of the Coronary and Renal Denervation business within the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic. “High blood pressure is a global health epidemic, and the introduction of the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a testament to what Medtronic does best - we work with our clinical community to solve large health challenges by bringing together science, engineering, and technology to improve patients’ lives. This award is truly a culmination of everyone’s hard work.”

Approved for commercial use in more than 75 countries around the world, the Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation System is currently limited to investigational use in Japan, and over 25,000 patients have been treated with this procedure globally.  

About Fortune Change the World
Each year, FORTUNE identifies companies that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. Eligible businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations are nominated and ranked based on key criteria, including, measurable social impact on one or more specific societal problems; business results and the benefit that the socially impactful work brings to the company; degree of innovation and how the company’s effort is relative to that of others in the industry.

About Medtronic 
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. 

¹U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2020.

² World Health Organization. Hypertension fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Accessed May 20, 2024.

³ Kandzari DE, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, et al. Effect of renal denervation on blood pressure in the presence of antihypertensive drugs: 6-month efficacy and safety results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED proof-of-concept randomised trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.

⁴ Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. The Lancet 2020; Published online March 29, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30554-7.

⁵ Townsend RR, Mahfoud F, Kandzari DE, et al. Catheter-based renal denervation in patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED): a randomised, sham-controlled, proof-of-concept trial. The Lancet. 2017;390:2160–2170.