HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Treats First Patient with Innovative Procedure to Control High Blood Pressure
Dr. John B. Dudley is the only physician in the tri-county area offering the innovative treatment for uncontrolled hypertension
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – [Date] – On July 15, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital marked a significant milestone in cardiovascular care by performing the first renal denervation (RDN) procedure in the tri-county (Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa) area. The groundbreaking, minimally invasive treatment was performed by John Dudley, MD, an interventional cardiologist and the only physician in the area currently offering the procedure.
High blood pressure continues to be one of the region's most significant health challenges. An estimated 130,000 adults across Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties are living with high blood pressure, with nearly one in three adults affected. Renal denervation is an innovative treatment option for patients whose high blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite medication and lifestyle changes. By targeting overactive nerves surrounding the renal arteries, the procedure can help lower blood pressure and reduce the long-term risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
"High blood pressure is often called the 'silent killer' because patients may feel perfectly fine while serious damage is occurring to their heart, brain and kidneys," said Dr. Dudley. "Renal denervation gives us another tool to help patients whose blood pressure has remained difficult to control despite doing all the right things. I'm proud to bring this advanced treatment to the area so patients can receive cutting-edge cardiovascular care close to home."
Media: Contact Denise.Kendust@HCAHealthcare.com to schedule an interview with Dr. Dudley and/or the first patient.
About HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is a 331-bed full-service hospital. It is the only Level II Trauma Center in the Tri-County Area, with nearly 200 highly respected and qualified physicians. For women and children services, we have the area's only in-house midwifery program. Its expanded emergency services include 24/7 HCA Florida Destin Emergency, 24/7 HCA Florida Navarre Emergency, and the full-service 24/7 HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Emergency. It is the only acute care hospital in the Tri-County area that offers open heart surgery, an Accredited Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an Accredited Chest Pain Center, and a Cancer Care Center that is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and an Associate of the UAB Birmingham Health System Cancer Community Network. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is the only inpatient acute care rehab facility in the tri-county area – HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center, located in Destin, Florida.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
