A new medication, baxdrostat, has demonstrated success in lowering dangerously high blood pressure for patients who do not respond to traditional treatments. Results from a major Phase III clinical trial, led by University College London (UCL), suggest the pill could offer a vital breakthrough for millions living with uncontrolled hypertension.
The global study tracked nearly 800 patients across 214 clinics. Researchers found that patients taking a daily 1 mg or 2 mg dose of the drug experienced an average blood pressure reduction of 9 to 10 mmHg compared to those on a placebo. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Targeting the hormone behind hypertension
High blood pressure is driven in many patients by an overproduction of aldosterone, a hormone that causes the body to retain excessive salt and water. While medical professionals have long recognized this as a primary factor in resistant hypertension, developing a safe and effective way to block the hormone has remained difficult.
Baxdrostat functions by directly inhibiting the production of aldosterone. Lead investigator Professor Bryan Williams of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science stated that the results are particularly promising for long-term health outcomes.
"Achieving a nearly 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure with baxdrostat is exciting, as this level of reduction is linked to substantially lower risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease," Professor Williams said. Data from the trial showed that 40 percent of patients taking the medication reached healthy blood pressure levels, doubling the success rate of the control group.
Hypertension currently affects approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide. With global health guidelines now pushing for stricter blood pressure targets—down to 130/80 mmHg—the need for more robust treatment options has become urgent. According to the study, nearly half of all patients treated for hypertension fail to keep their levels under control.
Professor Williams noted that the drug remained safe throughout the 32-week testing period. He believes the findings suggest that aldosterone plays a greater role in treatment-resistant cases than previously understood. If widely implemented, researchers estimate the drug could benefit up to half a billion people globally, including those in high-burden regions across Asia where hypertension rates have surged due to shifting dietary habits.
