A new 6-month blood pressure injection can replace the daily pill if a groundbreaking study succeeds.
Scientists are testing the approach to what they think is first in the world in how hypertension can be treated – high blood pressure.
About a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but many may not know it, according to the NHS.
Although there are often no noticeable symptoms, if left untreated, hypertension can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
About 100 patients in the UK will be part of the 630 patients worldwide involved in the new Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) study and the Barts Health NHS Trust.
People diagnosed with high blood pressure usually take pills once a day to control the condition, researchers said.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said that although there is not always an explanation for the cause of high blood pressure, most people develop it due to diet, lifestyle or medical condition.
This study, funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and supported by the National Institutes of Health and Care Research (NIHR), should run for three years.
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Dr Manish Saxena, head of the study and deputy clinical director at QMUL, said they were “excited” about the study.
“It’s in the beginning, but our ultimate hope is that the treatment turns out to be a safer and more manageable, practical solution to dealing with high blood pressure.
“Twice a year of subcutaneous injection treatment would provide a better alternative to daily medication, which we think would be good news for patients and make the treatment of hypertension more convenient.”
An alternative to pills
Professor Sir Niles Samani, medical director at the BHF, said this could lead to “good news for millions of people in the UK”, many of whom have to take medication daily to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
“The study will determine whether an injection given twice a year lowers blood pressure sufficiently over a long period of time. If this happens, it may provide an alternative to daily pills for some patients.”
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