SCIENTISTS REVEAL BREAKTHROUGH BLOOD PRESSURE TREATMENT THAT WORKS WHEN OTHERS FAIL

Globally around 1.3 billion people have high blood pressure (hypertension), and in around half of cases, the condition is uncontrolled or treatment resistant. These individuals face a much greater risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and early death. In the UK, the number of people with hypertension is around 14 million.

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According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial, a new treatment has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in people whose levels stay dangerously high, despite taking several existing medicines. The international BaxHTN trial, led by UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science and sponsored by AstraZeneca, assessed the new drug baxdrostat - which is taken as a tablet - with participation from nearly 800 patients across 214 clinics worldwide. The study was supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH. Results from the study were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.