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Published on: May 26, 2022
Novel pharmacological approaches to lowering blood pressure and managing hypertension
Matthew Sayer1,2, David J Webb1, Neeraj Dhaun3,4
1Edinburgh Kidney, University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Hypertension management faces challenges, but novel therapies like aprocitentan offer new hope. Integrating innovative treatments could significantly reduce cardiovascular disease deaths globally.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a leading global cause of death, strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Rising rates of diabetes and obesity have increased hypertension prevalence worldwide.
- Current treatments inadequately control blood pressure in many patients, demanding novel strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review challenges and emerging opportunities in hypertension management.
- To highlight innovative treatments, such as aprocitentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist.
- To discuss factors contributing to poor blood pressure control and limitations of existing therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on hypertension management.
- Exploration of novel pharmacological approaches.
- Analysis of factors influencing treatment efficacy and patient adherence.
Main Results:
- Aprocitentan represents a new class of antihypertensive drug, offering innovative treatment potential.
- Poor hypertension control is multifactorial, involving genetics, lifestyle, therapeutic inertia, and adherence.
- Existing therapies have limitations, necessitating the development of new pharmacological options.
Conclusions:
- Novel pharmacological approaches and integrated management strategies are crucial for reducing the global burden of hypertension.
- Improved diagnostic and management strategies, combined with new treatments, can substantially decrease hypertension-related cardiovascular disease.
- Innovative treatments like aprocitentan signify progress in addressing the unmet needs in hypertension care.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the leading cause of death globally, primarily due to its strong association with cardiovascular disease. The global prevalence of hypertension has surged over the past three decades, driven by rising rates of diabetes mellitus and obesity. Despite current antihypertensive therapies, only a small proportion of patients with hypertension achieve adequate blood pressure control, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. In this Review we explore the challenges and emerging opportunities in hypertension management. Aprocitentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, is the first agent from a novel class of antihypertensive drug to be licensed since 2007 and exemplifies innovative treatments on the horizon. Here we also address the complex factors contributing to poor hypertension control, including genetic influences, lifestyle factors, therapeutic inertia and poor patient adherence. We discuss the limitations of existing therapies and highlight promising new pharmacological approaches to hypertension management. Integrating these novel treatments alongside current pharmaceuticals combined with improved diagnostic and management strategies could substantially reduce the global burden of hypertension and associated cardiovascular disease.
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