Japanese scientists discover possible long-lasting vaccine for high blood pressure

A group of scientists from Japan have discovered a vaccine that lowers blood pressure for up to six months at a time, which they say could spell an end to daily tablets.

According to the scientists, a simple injection would be sufficient to control blood pressure for a prolonged period, meaning patients would no longer have to worry about taking their daily medication.

In the breakthrough research, the team found that injecting a DNA vaccine into rats reduced blood pressure for six months at a time, reducing damage to the heart and blood vessels as a result.

The group said the results, published in the journal Hypertension, may eventually lead to a human treatment.

Doctors have long sought a long-lasting treatment for high blood pressure that does not rely on daily medication owing to the fact that many patients forget to take their drugs leading to complications such as heart attacks and kidney disease.

Corroborating this, study author, Dr. Hironori Nakagami, of Osaka University in Japan said,

“The potential of a vaccine for hypertension offers an innovative treatment that could be very effective for the control of non-compliance which is one of the major problems in the management of hypertensive patients.”