A new medicine called baxdrostat has been shown to drop blood pressure in people whose numbers stay high even after taking several other drugs.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than a billion people worldwide. When it is not controlled, it can cause heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, and early death.
Big International Test of Baxdrostat
Scientists from many countries worked together in a trial named BaxHTN. About 800 patients from 214 clinics took part. The study was led by Professor Bryan Williams at University College London and was funded by AstraZeneca.
Participants received either a low dose (1 mg) or a higher dose (2 mg) of baxdrostat once a day, or a harmless sugar pill (placebo) for 12 weeks.
What the Numbers Show
After three months, people who took baxdrostat saw their systolic blood pressure fall about 9‑10 mmHg more than those who took the placebo. This drop is big enough to lower the chance of heart attacks and strokes.
Nearly 40 % of the baxdrostat group reached a healthy blood pressure level, while less than 20 % of the placebo group did.
How the Drug Works
The body makes a hormone called aldosterone that controls how much salt and water we keep. Too much aldosterone makes the body hold onto extra salt and water, which pushes blood pressure up.
Baxdrostat blocks the production of aldosterone, so less salt and water stay in the bloodstream. This helps lower blood pressure, especially in people whose pressure is hard to control.
Why This Matters
About half of all people treated for hypertension still have high numbers. The new pill offers a different way to fight the condition when other medicines do not work.
Professor Williams said the drug could help up to half a billion people worldwide, including millions in the United Kingdom.
Global Impact
Hypertension used to be most common in wealthy countries, but today most cases are seen in Asia and lower‑income regions. More than 200 million people in China and nearly 200 million in India live with high blood pressure.
If baxdrostat works as expected, it could become an important tool for doctors everywhere.