A new study presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 has shown that a new drug called baxdrostat may help control blood pressure and protect the kidneys compared to the current standard of care.
The study included 192 participants who had high blood pressure in spite of treatment and who had evidence of kidney disease. Participants were assigned to receive either high-dose baxdrostat, low-dose baxdrostat, or placebo in addition to standard of care. The study lasted 26 weeks, and blood pressure and evidence of kidney disease were measured before and after the study. Kidney disease and high blood pressure are linked and can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure if not managed properly. Baxdrostat is a newly developed medication that may help treat both high blood pressure and kidney disease by inhibiting the production of a specific hormone.
The results of the 26-week study showed that the addition of baxdrostat to existing treatments lowered systolic blood pressure by about 5%. Additionally, baxdrostat lowered a marker of kidney and cardiovascular risk in the bloodstream by 55% compared to placebo. These results suggest that baxdrostat may be effective for both lowering blood pressure and delaying the progression of kidney disease in at-risk individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
The authors of the study noted that these results are very promising for people living with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. High blood pressure and kidney disease can worsen each other, creating a negative spiral for patients who suffer from both conditions. The findings of this study suggest that baxdrostat, which is in a new class of antihypertensive medications, may provide significant benefits for these patients. While more research will be conducted to confirm and further explore these results, the initial findings suggest a promising outcome for patients with high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Sources: AHA, Science Daily