Doctors at Queen Mary University London and Barts Hospital have discovered a cure for a common form of high blood pressure, according to a report published in the journal Nature Genetics.
A gene variant found in benign lumps or nodules in one in 20 patients with high blood pressure is at the center of the new discovery. These lumps produce aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the amount of salt in our bodies. The gene variant in some of the lumps trigger an overproduction of Aldosterone.
In turn, aldosterone causes salt retention in the body. As a result, blood pressure elevates. Patients with increased aldosterone are resistant to common hyperion treatments. Consequently, they are at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.
In addition to discovering the cause of the problem, researchers also developed a simple fix.
They found that removing one of two adrenal glands eliminated the condition. Further, they determined through years of follow-up observation, that no additional treatment was needed.
Although the gland removal, called a unilateral adrenalectomy, is effective, the Queen Mary team is exploring other treatments.
"Because the aldosterone nodules in this study were so small, we are now investigating whether momentary cauterisation of the nodule is an alternative to surgical removal of the whole adrenal gland," said Professor Morris Brown, co-senior author of the study.
Diagnosing high blood pressure in general is difficult. That is because the tests to diagnose it are not routinely administered. In addition, symptoms are similar to other heart and lung conditions.
The same goes for diagnosing the gene variation..
Fewer than one percent of those with hypertension caused by the variant are diagnosed because aldosterone levels are not normally tested. However, as a result of their discovery, the researchers recommend testing for the hormone be added to patient examinations.
As a result of being under diagnosed - high blood pressure is under treated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one in two American adults has high blood pressure. In addition, three out of four people with high blood pressure do not have it under control, notes the CDC.
Furthermore, 20 percent are unaware they have the condition, according to the American Medical Group Association (AMGA).
As a result, hypertension costs the United States between $131 and $198 billion each year, according to the CDC. Those figures reflect medical treatment, prescription drugs, and lost productivity.
Another CDC report puts the annual tab for filling about 650 million prescriptions alone at $29 billion. In addition, the CDC says patients with high blood pressure pay about $2,500 more a year in medical expenses than those without the condition.
Over 1,000 people die each day from hypertension related issues, says AMGA.
Although high blood pressure is common, few people know its symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) signs of hypertension include:
If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, WHO suggests you seek medical attention immediately.
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