Jennifer Matthews: About 65-million people are living with high blood pressure.
Robert Breece has battled the condition for more than 30 years.
Robert Breece: I take six different medications, everything from beta blockers to alpha- blockers to diuretics.
Jennifer Matthews: Still, Robert's blood pressure stayed high. Doctor Domenic Sica says it's a common problem.
Dr. Domenic Sica: Despite your very best efforts, you hit a brick wall.
Jennifer Matthews: So, Doctor Sica offered Robert an investigational device.
Dr. Domenic Sica: This could be thought of as a pacemaker that controls blood pressure.
Jennifer Matthews: The device is implanted in the chest and attaches to two electrodes in the carotid arteries. It tells nerves in those arteries to trick the brain into thinking blood pressure is higher than it really is.
Dr. Domenic Sica: The brain, in turn says, well, gee, I'll turn off my signaling to the rest of the body, and that will lower blood pressure.
Jennifer Matthews: And once the device is put in place, it's there for good.
Dr. Domenic Sica: It's permanent... almost in a fashion like marrying into an Italian household.
Jennifer Matthews: Robert's seen major improvements he hopes are permanent. His blood pressure went from 180 over 110 to 140 over 80 with the device.
Robert Breece: It works for me. It's been very effective. It will probably prolong my life.
Jennifer Matthews: And if it gets him off some of his meds, he says it'll be a long and even happier life with his wife. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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