Researchers have found that a long-acting injection, given just twice a year alongside standard drugs.
Blood pressure is one of the most common health problems worldwide, yet it remains difficult to control for many patients even with daily medication. New research from the United Kingdom suggests a different approach could help. Scientists report that a treatment given just twice a year may offer sustained blood pressure reductions for people whose hypertension has proven hard to manage.
The findings come from a large international clinical trial published in JAMA and led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London. The study focused on a long-acting injectable therapy designed to work alongside existing blood pressure medications rather than replace them.
A Twice-Yearly Option for Hypertension
The trial, known as KARDIA-2, enrolled 663 adults whose blood pressure remained above recommended levels despite standard treatment. All participants continued taking their usual medications. Some also received an injection of an investigational drug called zilebesiran once every six months.
Researchers found that patients who received zilebesiran experienced greater and more consistent reductions in blood pressure than those who remained on standard therapy alone. The results suggest that long-acting treatments could help close the gap for patients who struggle to achieve adequate control with daily pills.
Why Long-Lasting Treatments Matter
High blood pressure is often called a silent condition because it rarely causes symptoms until serious damage has occurred. In the UK, around one in three adults lives with hypertension, a major contributor to heart attacks and strokes. Managing the condition typically requires taking medication every day, sometimes multiple times a day, which can be challenging over the long term.
A treatment that works for months at a time could reduce the burden of daily dosing and help maintain more stable blood pressure levels. For patients who miss doses or need additional support, this kind of approach could make a meaningful difference.
