A new blood pressure breakthrough? What this promising medication could mean for you
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your health regimen.
Managing blood pressure is a top concern for many, especially as we get older.
Hypertension, often called the "silent killer," can cause serious health problems without any obvious symptoms.
If you’ve ever struggled to keep your numbers in check despite taking medication, you’re not alone.
Many people still find their blood pressure creeping up, even with treatment.
But now, there’s a promising development that could change the game.
At the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago, researchers shared encouraging results from a major clinical trial testing a new medication called lorundrostat.
When combined with standard treatments, this experimental drug lowered systolic blood pressure—the top number in a blood pressure reading—by an additional 8 points compared to a placebo.
The findings, soon to be published in The New England Journal of Medicine, could lead to a new, more effective way to manage high blood pressure.
Dr. Luke Laffin, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasized the urgent need for better treatments.
"We do a poor job controlling blood pressure in the US," he said, pointing out that nearly half of American adults have hypertension, but fewer than one in four have it under control.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure reaches 130/80 mm Hg or higher, while a systolic reading between 120 and 129 mm Hg is considered elevated.
A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower.
Even with medication, many people still struggle with uncontrolled hypertension, which significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease.
Dr. Ajay Kirtane, a cardiologist at Columbia University, noted that 30% to 40% of patients taking medication still need additional options to better manage their blood pressure.
That’s where lorundrostat comes in.
This new drug works by reducing levels of aldosterone, a hormone that affects how much salt your body retains.
Since excess salt contributes to high blood pressure, lowering aldosterone helps bring blood pressure down in a different way than many existing medications.
The clinical trial, funded by drugmaker Mineralys Therapeutics, included 285 adults with uncontrolled hypertension, with an average age of 60.
More than half of the participants were Black, a significant factor since research shows that Black patients often respond well to treatments that target salt retention.
Participants in the trial were already on blood pressure medication before they began taking either a placebo or lorundrostat for 12 weeks.
Their blood pressure was measured at the start of the study, four weeks in, and again at the end.
The results? Those on lorundrostat saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 15.4 points, compared to 7.4 points in the placebo group.
After adjusting for the placebo effect, lorundrostat was responsible for an 8-point decrease—a meaningful improvement that could translate to fewer heart attacks and strokes over time.
While the findings are promising, lorundrostat still needs to complete its final phase of clinical trials before it can be approved by the FDA.
If all goes well, it could be available within 12 to 18 months.
However, like any medication, it comes with risks.
One concern is that lorundrostat may raise potassium levels, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms if not monitored carefully.
That’s why doctors emphasize that this medication, if approved, would need to be used under close supervision.
For now, the results offer hope for those struggling with high blood pressure despite their best efforts.
While more long-term studies are needed to confirm its full benefits and safety, lorundrostat is shaping up to be a promising new option for those struggling to manage their blood pressure.
If it receives FDA approval, it could be available within the next 12 to 18 months—offering hope to millions who need better solutions.
For now, the best thing you can do is stay informed, keep up with your doctor’s advice, and continue managing your health with the tools available today.
Read next: Amazon’s 10-Minute tiny home is changing everything—could you own one?
What do you think about this new breakthrough? Would you be open to trying a new medication if it meant better blood pressure control? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Managing blood pressure is a top concern for many, especially as we get older.
Hypertension, often called the "silent killer," can cause serious health problems without any obvious symptoms.
If you’ve ever struggled to keep your numbers in check despite taking medication, you’re not alone.
Many people still find their blood pressure creeping up, even with treatment.
But now, there’s a promising development that could change the game.
Could this new medication be the key to better blood pressure control? Image Source: Pexels / Yaroslav Shuraev.
At the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago, researchers shared encouraging results from a major clinical trial testing a new medication called lorundrostat.
When combined with standard treatments, this experimental drug lowered systolic blood pressure—the top number in a blood pressure reading—by an additional 8 points compared to a placebo.
The findings, soon to be published in The New England Journal of Medicine, could lead to a new, more effective way to manage high blood pressure.
Dr. Luke Laffin, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasized the urgent need for better treatments.
"We do a poor job controlling blood pressure in the US," he said, pointing out that nearly half of American adults have hypertension, but fewer than one in four have it under control.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure reaches 130/80 mm Hg or higher, while a systolic reading between 120 and 129 mm Hg is considered elevated.
A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower.
Also read: Struggling with high blood pressure? Discover the revolutionary new solution for those tough cases!
Why Current Treatments Aren't Enough
Even with medication, many people still struggle with uncontrolled hypertension, which significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease.
Dr. Ajay Kirtane, a cardiologist at Columbia University, noted that 30% to 40% of patients taking medication still need additional options to better manage their blood pressure.
That’s where lorundrostat comes in.
This new drug works by reducing levels of aldosterone, a hormone that affects how much salt your body retains.
Since excess salt contributes to high blood pressure, lowering aldosterone helps bring blood pressure down in a different way than many existing medications.
The clinical trial, funded by drugmaker Mineralys Therapeutics, included 285 adults with uncontrolled hypertension, with an average age of 60.
More than half of the participants were Black, a significant factor since research shows that Black patients often respond well to treatments that target salt retention.
Also read: Discover the 6 secret lifestyle changes that can lower your blood pressure naturally!
What the Study Found
Participants in the trial were already on blood pressure medication before they began taking either a placebo or lorundrostat for 12 weeks.
Their blood pressure was measured at the start of the study, four weeks in, and again at the end.
The results? Those on lorundrostat saw their systolic blood pressure drop by an average of 15.4 points, compared to 7.4 points in the placebo group.
After adjusting for the placebo effect, lorundrostat was responsible for an 8-point decrease—a meaningful improvement that could translate to fewer heart attacks and strokes over time.
Also read: Is your blood pressure normal? The secret to staying healthy at any age
What’s Next?
While the findings are promising, lorundrostat still needs to complete its final phase of clinical trials before it can be approved by the FDA.
If all goes well, it could be available within 12 to 18 months.
However, like any medication, it comes with risks.
One concern is that lorundrostat may raise potassium levels, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms if not monitored carefully.
That’s why doctors emphasize that this medication, if approved, would need to be used under close supervision.
For now, the results offer hope for those struggling with high blood pressure despite their best efforts.
While more long-term studies are needed to confirm its full benefits and safety, lorundrostat is shaping up to be a promising new option for those struggling to manage their blood pressure.
If it receives FDA approval, it could be available within the next 12 to 18 months—offering hope to millions who need better solutions.
For now, the best thing you can do is stay informed, keep up with your doctor’s advice, and continue managing your health with the tools available today.
Read next: Amazon’s 10-Minute tiny home is changing everything—could you own one?
What do you think about this new breakthrough? Would you be open to trying a new medication if it meant better blood pressure control? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
