An international team of scientists, led by researchers from Maastricht University, claims to have discovered one of the causes of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
The researchers also state that the high blood pressure can be prevented with already registered drugs that are now used for other conditions.
Millions of Dutch people
About a quarter of the Dutch have high blood pressure. For people over 65, one in two people even has high blood pressure.
–
–
Until now, only symptom control was possible for high blood pressure, because the cause of it is unknown in nine out of ten cases.
What exactly has been discovered?
The researchers suspect that high blood pressure is the result of a certain protein. This protein, Nox5, is the source of so-called oxygen radicals in the walls of blood vessels. These radicals disrupt a process that normally helps to prevent narrowing of the arteries and prevent thrombosis.
This has identified a major cause of high blood pressure in humans, the researchers say.
Possibly also medicine
So the researchers have also discovered how this cause of high blood pressure can be treated. It concerns existing and already registered medicines.
The university has applied for funding for a second study, in which they will test how well those drugs work.
–
–
Hartstichting: ‘Could be an important discovery’
According to the Dutch Heart Foundation, the discovery of Maastricht University may be an ‘important finding’. “It is too early for us to draw any conclusions, but it is certainly interesting,” said a spokesman.
Whether this is a breakthrough for people with high blood pressure? “It is too early to say this, too little is known to draw that conclusion. As we now understand, research into the efficacy of certain drugs is still to follow. The Heart Foundation is eagerly awaiting the results of that study. “
–
–
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure increases the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure. This makes hypertension one of the most important causes of death or permanent injury in the world. In 95 percent of all cases, the molecular mechanism causing hypertension is unknown.
As a result, patients are often treated with drugs that widen the blood vessels and thus only treat the symptoms of high blood pressure. Most patients therefore continue to struggle with the long-term consequences of hypertension, such as heart attacks or strokes.
–
–
