A new study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine is raising important questions about the long-term use of common blood pressure and heart failure medications.
These drugs, which include ACE inhibitors widely known for their effectiveness, might have unintended effects on kidney health.
The study, conducted by researchers including Maria Luisa Sequeira Lopez MD and Ariel Gomez MD of UVA’s Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Research Center, focused on understanding the causes of kidney damage in people with chronic high blood pressure, a condition affecting about a billion people worldwide.
A key finding of the research is the role played by renin cells in the kidney. These cells are crucial in producing renin, a hormone that regulates blood pressure.
However, the study found that harmful changes in these cells can lead to them invading the walls of the kidney’s blood vessels.
This invasion triggers a buildup of smooth muscle cells, causing the vessels to thicken and stiffen, leading to impaired blood flow in the kidney.
Interestingly, the researchers discovered that long-term use of drugs designed to inhibit the renin-angiotensin system, such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, can have a similar effect.
These medications are extensively used for treating conditions like high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and for preventing major heart issues.
While these drugs are often life-saving and patients should continue taking them, the study reveals a potential downside: the association with hardened kidney vessels, observed in both laboratory mice and humans.
This finding underscores the need for more research to fully understand the long-term impact of these drugs on the kidneys.
The UVA team emphasizes the importance of conducting prospective, randomized controlled studies to determine the extent of functional and tissue damage in patients using these medications for blood pressure control.
Such studies are crucial for developing strategies to mitigate any adverse effects on the kidneys while continuing to manage hypertension effectively with current drugs.
Dr. Gomez notes the urgent need to identify the molecules produced by renin cells that cause damage, so they can be counteracted, preserving kidney health without compromising the treatment of hypertension.
These significant findings have been published in the scientific journal JCI Insight, even being selected as a cover story, highlighting the study’s potential impact on future medical practices and patient care.
This research is a step forward in understanding the delicate balance between managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure and ensuring the long-term health of vital organs like the kidneys.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.
The research findings can be found in Hypertension.
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