Twice-Yearly Shot Lowers Blood Pressure for Millions

Imagine controlling high blood pressure with two shots a year instead of pills every single day. That's the promise of a new treatment showing remarkable results in a global trial of 663 patients.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London tested an experimental drug called zilebesiran on adults whose blood pressure remained high despite taking their usual medications. Patients who received the injection alongside their standard treatment saw greater drops in blood pressure than those on pills alone.

The findings, published in JAMA, could change lives for millions. High blood pressure affects roughly 1 in 3 adults in the UK and remains a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes when left uncontrolled.

Dr. Manish Saxena, who led the UK portion of the study, calls it a game changer. "Blood pressure control rates remain poor globally," he explains. "Giving just one injection every six months could help millions of patients better manage their condition."

The drug works differently than traditional medications. Zilebesiran uses RNA interference technology to block a specific protein produced in the liver called angiotensinogen. This protein plays a key role in tightening blood vessels, so reducing it helps vessels relax and lowers blood pressure naturally.

The treatment is delivered as a simple injection under the skin. Patients in the trial received it every six months, making it far easier to stick with than daily pills that are often forgotten or skipped.

The Ripple Effect

The implications stretch far beyond individual patients. Poor medication adherence is one of the biggest challenges in treating hypertension, with many people struggling to remember daily pills or dealing with side effects that make them want to quit.

A twice-yearly injection removes that burden entirely. It could mean fewer emergency room visits, fewer strokes, and fewer lives cut short by preventable heart disease.

Researchers are already moving forward with a follow-up trial called KARDIA-3, which will test whether the drug helps people with existing cardiovascular disease or those at high risk. A larger study planned for later this year will examine whether the treatment can actually prevent major cardiovascular events like strokes and cardiovascular death.

Barts Health NHS Trust served as the lead site in Europe and enrolled more patients than any other center. Their involvement signals strong confidence in the treatment's potential to reach clinics worldwide.

For the millions who struggle with daily medication routines or whose blood pressure stays stubbornly high despite their best efforts, this research offers genuine hope for simpler, more effective care.