High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common health problems in the world. Millions of people live with it every day, often without clear symptoms.
Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure can quietly damage blood vessels and organs, raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and heart failure. Doctors usually treat it with daily pills, but many people find it difficult to remember to take medicine every day for years.
A new medication called zilebesiran may offer a different approach. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers tested whether this new treatment could safely lower blood pressure for long periods with only a few doses each year.
The study was led by Dr. George L. Bakris and his team at the University of Chicago. It was a phase 2 clinical trial, meaning the drug had already passed early safety testing and was now being studied in a larger group of patients to see how well it works.
A total of 377 adults with high blood pressure took part. Most of them received zilebesiran, while a smaller group received a placebo, which is an inactive treatment used for comparison. The trial lasted six months.
Participants were divided into groups and given different amounts of the drug. Some received 150 milligrams, some 300 milligrams, and others 600 milligrams.
A few participants received the drug only once every six months, while another group received 300 milligrams every three months. Researchers wanted to see which dose worked best and how long the effects lasted.
The results were encouraging. People who received zilebesiran experienced clear drops in their systolic blood pressure, which is the top number in a blood pressure reading. This number shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
The changes were measured using a 24‑hour monitoring device, which records blood pressure throughout the day and night and gives a more accurate picture than a single reading at a clinic.
After three months, those taking zilebesiran had reductions of about 14 to 17 points in systolic blood pressure compared to those who received the placebo. Even after six months, the reductions remained. For example, people receiving 300 milligrams every three months still showed a drop of about 10 points, while the placebo group’s blood pressure actually rose.
Safety is always a key concern with new medicines. In this study, minor side effects were somewhat more common among those taking zilebesiran, but serious side effects were less common than in the placebo group. Only a small percentage of patients on the drug experienced serious problems.
One of the most promising features of zilebesiran is how rarely it needs to be taken. Some patients may only need an injection every three to six months. This could be life‑changing for people who struggle to keep up with daily medication schedules, especially older adults or those with busy lives.
The study was funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, the company developing the drug. While this is common in medical research, scientists say independent studies will still be needed to confirm the long‑term benefits and safety.
If future trials continue to show positive results, zilebesiran could become an important new option for treating high blood pressure. A treatment that works for months at a time could help more people keep their blood pressure under control and reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about breakfast for better blood pressure management, and the gut feeling that lowers blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how the dash diet helps lower blood pressure, and how to eat your way to healthy blood pressure.
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