High blood pressure is a common issue that many people face, and the standard treatment usually involves taking daily medication. However, more than half of the people with high blood pressure often forget to take their daily pills, making it difficult to keep their condition under control.
This is concerning because uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems like stroke, heart attack, and early death. Therefore, there is a significant need for a more convenient way to manage high blood pressure.
Introducing Zilebesiran: A Potential Game-Changer
Researchers from several institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, have been testing a new drug called zilebesiran. This drug has shown the potential to significantly lower blood pressure and maintain it at a lower level for up to six months with just a single injection.
In the UK tests, participants who received zilebesiran experienced a substantial drop in their systolic blood pressure, which is the measurement of the force of the heart pumping blood.
People who received doses of 200mg or more saw an average drop in systolic blood pressure of over 10 mmHg, while those who received an 800mg dose experienced a drop of more than 20 mmHg. These reductions could potentially bring a person’s blood pressure into a much safer range.
How Does Zilebesiran Work?
Zilebesiran, developed by a U.S. company called Alnylam, works by targeting a hormone called angiotensin, which is responsible for narrowing blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
The drug directly targets the liver to stop the production of angiotensinogen, the protein that initiates the production of angiotensin. It uses a special method to turn off the gene responsible for making this protein, effectively preventing the hormone from being produced.
The Future of Zilebesiran
In the study, 107 patients with high blood pressure were involved. Of these, 80 received a single shot of zilebesiran, while the rest received a placebo.
The researchers now plan to conduct more studies to ensure the drug’s safety and to understand its long-term effects on people with high blood pressure.
Professor David Webb from the University of Edinburgh stated, “This is potentially a big step forward for treating high blood pressure.
We haven’t had a new type of drug for this in 17 years. This new approach could help people stick to their treatment plans. Our next steps will focus on safety and effectiveness before the drug can be approved for public use.”
Conclusion
Zilebesiran could represent a major advancement in making it easier for people to manage their high blood pressure effectively. With further research, this drug might become a reliable and convenient option for many individuals.
If you are concerned about high blood pressure, you might also be interested in learning about lesser-known causes or small lifestyle changes that can improve your condition.
The findings of this study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and they highlight the exciting potential of zilebesiran in revolutionizing the treatment of high blood pressure.
As research continues, we may soon see this drug become a standard part of high blood pressure management, offering a more straightforward and effective solution for millions of people worldwide.
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.
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