High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the “silent killer.” It sneaks up on people without symptoms but quietly harms the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Doctors typically recommend eating less salt, exercising more, and taking medication to manage it.
While these treatments work for many, some people don’t respond well, leaving them at risk. But now, a groundbreaking discovery might offer a new way to tackle this common health problem.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London and other research institutions have developed an innovative body scan that could change how we treat high blood pressure. This new “super scan” helps pinpoint tiny lumps, called nodules, in hormone glands.
These nodules produce a hormone called aldosterone, which can cause blood pressure to rise. What’s surprising is how common these nodules are—about 1 in 20 people with high blood pressure have them.
The challenge has always been detecting them, as traditional tests often miss these small but significant culprits.
The super scan uses a special dye that sticks specifically to the nodules. When the dye highlights them, the nodules become clearly visible on the scan. This process is quick, painless, and incredibly accurate.
In a recent study, the scan identified these nodules in two-thirds of participants with high aldosterone levels. This means it can reliably find the source of the problem for many people struggling with high blood pressure.
Finding these nodules is just the first step. Once detected, they can be removed through a safe procedure. This could potentially eliminate the need for lifelong blood pressure medication for some patients.
To make things even better, researchers have paired the scan with a simple urine test. Together, they can predict who might be able to stop taking medication entirely after treatment.
This discovery could change lives. Until now, most people with aldosterone-producing nodules went undiagnosed. Traditional tests were often too complicated or unavailable. The super scan simplifies everything.
In the study, 24 patients who underwent treatment achieved normal blood pressure levels. Remarkably, the scan and urine test correctly identified 18 of these patients as candidates who no longer needed medication.
Professor Morris Brown, one of the lead researchers, published the findings in Nature Medicine, a respected scientific journal. While this new technology isn’t widely available yet, it represents a huge step forward in understanding and treating high blood pressure.
If you or someone you know has struggled to control high blood pressure, this breakthrough offers new hope. It shows how modern science can uncover hidden causes and provide more targeted treatments.
For now, it’s important to continue following your doctor’s advice, but the future looks brighter with tools like the super scan on the horizon.
This innovation brings us closer to a time when high blood pressure might be not just managed but potentially cured for many people. It’s a promising leap forward, offering relief and peace of mind to millions around the world.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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