The University of Bristol has found a new approach to treat hypertension

Scientists have found that carotid bodies of a carotid artery can be responsible for hypertension. News-medical writes that the therapy should effect on them. It was proved that by removing some of the bodies, in some cases, instant and prolonged pressure reduction can be achieved. Moreover, no medicine shows such results.

Generally, the carotid bodies determine an oxygen level in a blood. If the oxygen level is reduced, the bodies raise the alarm and signal the brain that it is time to increase the pressure and the breath. When the bodies are inadequately active, the high blood pressure is maintained all the time. The scientists have created tests that allow us to understand whether the over active bodies cause hypertension.

The experts paid their attention to an energy molecule - adenosine triphosphate. It became the basis for a new treatment against high blood pressure. According to the scientists, the carotid bodies have a receptor for the molecule of adenosine triphosphate. It is called P2X3. This is a new target for pharmaceutical products.

Source: MEDdaily