Researchers presented findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago regarding a new medication, lorundrostat, that may help lower blood pressure in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension. A Phase 2b clinical trial showed that patients who took lorundrostat along with other hypertension drugs saw an 8-point greater decrease in systolic blood pressure compared to those who received a placebo. Uncontrolled hypertension is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure.
Hypertension is diagnosed when a person has a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher, and uncontrolled hypertension is defined as a measurement of 130/80 mm Hg or higher even with medication. A large percentage of adults in the U.S. have hypertension, but many do not have their blood pressure under control. Lorundrostat works by blocking the adrenal glands’ production of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates salt levels in the body, which ultimately affects blood pressure.
The drug showed promising results in the clinical trial, with lower doses leading to significant reductions in blood pressure. However, patients taking lorundrostat were more likely to develop high potassium levels, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. Future studies are needed to compare lorundrostat with other medications that block aldosterone receptors and to examine its long-term effects. The drug is expected to be available within 12 to 18 months pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration, and researchers are continuing to work on further clinical trials with the drugmaker Mineralys Therapeutics.
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