Millions of people in the UK suffering from a form of high blood pressure that is notoriously difficult to treat could soon benefit from a revolutionary new scanning technique, according to groundbreaking research.
The Hidden Cause of Hypertension
Experts from University College London (UCL) have identified a hidden cause of hypertension that current standard testing fails to pick up. It is estimated that around a quarter of the 14 million people in the UK with high blood pressure may have an issue where their adrenal glands produce an excessive amount of the hormone aldosterone.
Aldosterone is crucial for regulating salt levels in the body, but its overproduction is a significant, and often undiagnosed, driver of high blood pressure. This condition, known as primary aldosteronism, substantially increases a person's risk of developing heart disease, suffering a stroke, or experiencing kidney problems.
Revolutionising Diagnosis with a New Scan
The current method for measuring aldosterone is invasive and complex, requiring two blood tests and a catheter procedure in the groin. As a result, this diagnostic test is only available at a select number of hospitals, meaning thousands of patients are missing out on a critical diagnosis.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the UCL research team revealed a world-first solution. They have successfully pinpointed the source of aldosterone over-production using a non-invasive 3D scan of the body.
This innovative technique involves injecting the patient with a newly designed radioactive tracer that specifically targets and highlights aldosterone-producing enzymes within the body.
A Future of Targeted Treatment
Professor Bryan Williams, the clinical lead for the study, stated that this innovation 'is going to transform the diagnosis of aldosterone excess' and will 'enable us to provide better targeted treatment' for countless patients.
The research team is now moving forward with a phase two clinical trial. The goal is to gather sufficient data to seek approval for this transformative test to be adopted for routine use within the NHS, potentially changing the lives of millions.
