Health
Hypertension vaccine shows promise
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 3, 2007
If patients aren't able or willing to take pills every day for blood pressure control, how about a shot every few months? Researchers presented findings at the American Heart Assn.'s scientific sessions held Nov. 3-7 in Orlando, Fla., showing a new vaccine was particularly effective at lowering blood pressure in the early morning -- the most dangerous time to have hypertension.
Researchers injected 72 patients who had mild to moderate hypertension with a dose of the vaccine. The vaccine targets angiotensin II, a molecule that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
"Despite the fact that effective drugs are available, only about one of four people has their blood pressure successfully controlled," said Dr. Juerg Nussberger, professor of medicine at the University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud in Lausanne, Switzerland, and lead author of the study.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/12/03/hlbf1203.htm.
