High blood pressure is a common health issue, and managing it typically involves daily medication.
However, forgetting to take these pills is a common problem for more than half of individuals with high blood pressure, putting them at risk for severe complications like stroke, heart attacks, and premature death.
The need for a more convenient and effective treatment is evident.
Introducing Zilebesiran
Researchers from various institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, have been investigating a groundbreaking drug called zilebesiran.
This drug shows significant potential to reduce blood pressure substantially and maintain it at healthy levels for up to six months, all with a single injection.
In clinical trials conducted in the UK, participants who received zilebesiran experienced a substantial decrease in systolic blood pressure, a measure of the force exerted by the heart when pumping blood.
At doses of 200mg or higher, the average reduction exceeded 10 mmHg, while an 800mg dose led to a reduction of over 20 mmHg. Such reductions have the potential to bring an individual’s blood pressure into a safer and healthier range.
The Mechanism of Zilebesiran
Zilebesiran, developed by the U.S. company Alnylam, operates by inhibiting the production of a hormone known as angiotensin. This hormone is responsible for narrowing blood vessels, which, in turn, elevates blood pressure.
Zilebesiran acts directly on the liver, where it halts the production of angiotensinogen—a protein that serves as the starting point for angiotensin synthesis.
The drug employs a specialized method to silence the gene responsible for angiotensinogen production, effectively preventing the hormone’s generation.
What Lies Ahead for Zilebesiran?
The study encompassed 107 patients with high blood pressure, 80 of whom received a single injection of zilebesiran, while the remaining participants received a placebo or fake treatment.
The researchers now aim to conduct additional studies to verify the drug’s safety and understand its long-term effects on individuals with high blood pressure.
Professor David Webb from the University of Edinburgh remarked, “This represents a potentially significant advancement in high blood pressure treatment. We haven’t witnessed the introduction of a new drug in this category for 17 years.
This innovative approach could encourage individuals to adhere to their treatment plans. Our upcoming research will focus on safety and effectiveness before the drug can be approved for public use.”
Zilebesiran holds the promise of simplifying the management of high blood pressure for countless individuals. With continued research, it may become a dependable and convenient option for many seeking to control their condition effectively.
For individuals concerned about high blood pressure, understanding unrecognized causes and adopting beneficial habits can also play a vital role in managing the condition effectively.
Additionally, recent studies exploring efficient ways to treat high blood pressure and the impact of various foods, such as potatoes, on blood pressure levels offer valuable insights into the topic.
The findings of this study have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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