Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of premature deaths worldwide, contributing to cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and strokes.
London: A new drug has shown promising results for patients with resistant hypertension — a condition where blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite taking multiple medications. The drug, named Baxdrostat, has been successfully tested in phase-3 clinical trials conducted by University College London. Researchers say it could also help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Globally, over 1.3 billion people suffer from high blood pressure, which increases the strain on blood vessel walls and directly affects the heart. Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of premature deaths worldwide, contributing to cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and strokes.
According to The Guardian, Baxdrostat rapidly lowers dangerously high blood pressure levels. The trial involved 796 patients across 214 clinics, and results showed that within 12 weeks, patients on Baxdrostat experienced a drop of about 9–10 mmHg in blood pressure. Nearly 40% of patients achieved normal blood pressure levels, compared to less than 20% in the placebo group.
Professor Bryan Williams of the University of California, one of the lead researchers, said:
“We’ve never seen such a significant reduction from any other drug before. This is exciting because lowering blood pressure to this extent can substantially reduce the risks of heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrests, and kidney disease.”
The drug works by targeting the hormone aldosterone, which regulates blood pressure. In some patients, excess production of aldosterone prevents the kidneys from flushing out sodium and water, leading to increased blood volume and elevated blood pressure. By blocking aldosterone, Baxdrostat helps in effectively controlling hypertension.
The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid.
