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| Hope over high blood pressure jab | Hope over high blood pressure jab |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A four-monthly jab may one day replace the need to regularly take pills to control blood pressure, scientists say. | A four-monthly jab may one day replace the need to regularly take pills to control blood pressure, scientists say. |
| A team from the Swiss biotechnology firm Cytos found the vaccine against a hormone in the blood significantly cut blood pressure, the Lancet reported. | A team from the Swiss biotechnology firm Cytos found the vaccine against a hormone in the blood significantly cut blood pressure, the Lancet reported. |
| The jab was tested on 72 patients with high blood pressure and it was found to work without serious side-effects. | The jab was tested on 72 patients with high blood pressure and it was found to work without serious side-effects. |
| The researchers and independent experts said the findings were promising but large-scale trials were now needed. | The researchers and independent experts said the findings were promising but large-scale trials were now needed. |
| High blood pressure, which affects a quarter of all adults, doubles the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke and is blamed for 60,000 deaths a year in UK. | High blood pressure, which affects a quarter of all adults, doubles the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke and is blamed for 60,000 deaths a year in UK. |
| Immunisation may be of particular benefit to people who find it difficult to stick to high blood pressure medication Professor Jeremy Pearson, of the British Heart Foundation | Immunisation may be of particular benefit to people who find it difficult to stick to high blood pressure medication Professor Jeremy Pearson, of the British Heart Foundation |
| Those who are being treated for it often have to take a daily course of pills to keep it under control. | Those who are being treated for it often have to take a daily course of pills to keep it under control. |
| But many people do not keep to their treatment regimes as people with high blood pressure do not display symptoms. | But many people do not keep to their treatment regimes as people with high blood pressure do not display symptoms. |
| The researchers believe the vaccine, which works against the hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to constrict and increase blood pressure, may offer a simple alternative. | The researchers believe the vaccine, which works against the hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to constrict and increase blood pressure, may offer a simple alternative. |
| They tested two different doses of the vaccine - 300 microgrammes and 100 microgrammes - as well as a dummy vaccine during the 14-week trial. | They tested two different doses of the vaccine - 300 microgrammes and 100 microgrammes - as well as a dummy vaccine during the 14-week trial. |
| Resistance | Resistance |
| The jabs were given at the start, and after four weeks and 12 weeks - enough to give a patient four-month resistance. | The jabs were given at the start, and after four weeks and 12 weeks - enough to give a patient four-month resistance. |
| Neither dose significantly lowered blood pressure at night. | Neither dose significantly lowered blood pressure at night. |
| But during the day the larger dose significantly lowered blood pressure, especially during the late morning peak when blood pressure is known to increase. | But during the day the larger dose significantly lowered blood pressure, especially during the late morning peak when blood pressure is known to increase. |
| And, importantly, the vaccine did not have any serious side-effects with the worst being mild flu-like symptoms. | And, importantly, the vaccine did not have any serious side-effects with the worst being mild flu-like symptoms. |
| Lead researcher Dr Martin Bachmann said the vaccine could offer a much more simple way of controlling blood pressure and could be administered during regular visits to the doctor. | Lead researcher Dr Martin Bachmann said the vaccine could offer a much more simple way of controlling blood pressure and could be administered during regular visits to the doctor. |
| "Such a regimen is likely to promote adherence to treatment, but will need to be supported by clinical data." | "Such a regimen is likely to promote adherence to treatment, but will need to be supported by clinical data." |
| Professor Jeremy Pearson, of the British Heart Foundation, agreed more research was needed, but described the results as promising. | Professor Jeremy Pearson, of the British Heart Foundation, agreed more research was needed, but described the results as promising. |
| "Immunisation may be of particular benefit to people who find it difficult to stick to high blood pressure medication, but there is still a long way to go before this approach replaces the highly-effective current treatments. | "Immunisation may be of particular benefit to people who find it difficult to stick to high blood pressure medication, but there is still a long way to go before this approach replaces the highly-effective current treatments. |
| "Looking after your heart through regular exercise, cutting down on salt, and only drinking in moderation remain the best ways in which we can prevent high blood pressure." | "Looking after your heart through regular exercise, cutting down on salt, and only drinking in moderation remain the best ways in which we can prevent high blood pressure." |
| Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, added: "This study demonstrates an interesting new way to lower blood pressure." | |
| Other firms are also known to be testing blood pressure vaccines. | Other firms are also known to be testing blood pressure vaccines. |