High blood pressure and kidney disease are two health problems that often go together.
When not treated well, they can lead to serious issues like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
A new study has found that a new drug, called baxdrostat, might help control blood pressure and slow down kidney damage in people who have both chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure that is hard to manage.
This early research was shared at a major health conference in Baltimore and also published in a medical journal. The study was led by Dr. Jamie Dwyer from the University of Utah Health.
He and his team looked at whether adding baxdrostat to standard treatments could help people who are already taking blood pressure medicine but still have high readings.
In the body, there is a hormone called aldosterone. It helps control salt and water balance, which affects blood pressure. But too much aldosterone can be harmful. It can stiffen blood vessels and damage the heart and kidneys. Baxdrostat works by stopping the body from making too much aldosterone.
The study included 195 people, average age 66, most of whom had type 2 diabetes. Everyone had chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure that didn’t improve with regular treatments.
Their average systolic blood pressure was 151 mm Hg at the start. For reference, a normal systolic reading should be less than 120. Their kidney function, measured by a test called eGFR, was around 44, which shows moderate kidney damage.
Participants were divided into three groups. One group got a low dose of baxdrostat, another got a high dose, and the last group got a placebo—a pill with no medicine. Everyone continued their usual treatment as well.
After 26 weeks, people taking baxdrostat had lower blood pressure than those taking the placebo. On average, their systolic blood pressure dropped by 8.1 mm Hg more than those not getting the drug.
Also, their urine had less of a protein called albumin, which is a sign of kidney damage. Those taking baxdrostat had a 55% lower level of albumin in their urine compared to the placebo group. This shows that the drug might help protect the kidneys.
There were some side effects. A few people developed high potassium levels, which can be dangerous if severe. However, most cases were mild. A small number of people had serious health problems during the study, but these were not thought to be directly caused by the drug.
Doctors say this new drug could become an important option for people with both kidney disease and high blood pressure. Many of these patients were not included in earlier studies, so it is promising to see results from a study focused just on them. The drug is still being tested in larger studies, but it offers hope for better treatments in the future.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about This daily food is very important for blood pressure and heart health and Common blood pressure medication may have harmful side effects.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about This alcohol treatment could help treat high blood pressure and How blood pressure changes with age.
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