Twice-a-Year Shot Could Replace Daily Blood Pressure Pills; 1.4 Billion Adults Living With Hypertension in 2024

High blood pressure is a serious health challenge that has been growing rapidly around the world. The statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that by 2024, 1.4 billion people around the world aged 30-79 years will be suffering from hypertension. These statistics also indicate that about 33% of the population falls within this bracket. Health experts have also noted that hypertension has been rising even among children, which may cause them to develop various diseases at tender ages.

Doctors recommend that patients living with hypertension take their medication to prevent them from suffering from heart attacks, strokes, kidney, and eye problems that hypertension can cause. Patients may have to take these drugs for the rest of their lives. An alternative to blood pressure drugs has been found. In a recent report, researchers suggest that soon, you will be able to control your blood pressure without taking medication daily. An injection is being discussed as an alternative, which, instead of pills, can help you control your blood pressure just twice a year. Experts view this injection, called Gilebesiran, as an effective solution for the future.

The Lancet journal describes the benefits of this injection for BP patients. Researchers say this discovery could completely transform the way hypertension is managed, especially at a time when, despite decades of existing medications, the number of high blood pressure patients continues to rise worldwide. It is believed that the Gilebesiran injection may help control hypertension long-term. It may also help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as kidney and eye problems.

It is currently in late-stage global trials. This twice-yearly injection can control high blood pressure. Developed by Roche and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, the Gilebesiran injection requires twice-yearly administration. It uses small interfering RNA (iRNA) technology to reduce the production of angiotensinogen in the liver. By slowing the production of angiotensinogen, this injection can control blood pressure for up to six months.

Experts say that initial trials suggest this injection may be effective, but researchers caution that hypertension is a lifelong disease and these therapies are still under clinical investigation. It's currently unclear how effective it is in replacing standard treatment, i.e., daily medications. According to a global analysis published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, the incidence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents has nearly doubled over the past two decades. This is also increasing the risk of heart disease.