Drug may improve cardiac function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Cheap Valsartan, an ARB blood pressure medicine, improved heart structure)

Medical Xpress / Melissa Rohman , Northwestern University / Nature Medicine ^ | Nov. 17, 2021 | Melissa Rohman / Carolyn Y. Ho et al

[ConservativeMind]

Valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker drug, delayed disease progression and improved cardiac structure and function in patients with early-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to a recent trial.

"This is the first time we have identified a treatment that may actually impact the underlying disease process, as opposed to just treating symptoms. In addition, if we can delay disease progression, this may ultimately mean that we can significantly impact the risk of sudden cardiac death in this population," said Philip Thrush, MD.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. The disease results from mutations in the genes that code for sarcomeres, protein filaments that are essential for proper contraction of the heart muscle.

While most patients are asymptomatic, the disease is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy (when the heart's left ventricle is unable to pump blood properly), myocardial fibrosis (scarring within the heart muscle) and an increased risk of heart failure and arrythmias.

Current treatments for the disease only address its symptoms and aim to slow or regulate the patient's heart rate. Therefore, therapies that slow disease progression and address its underlying causes are greatly needed, and the drug valsatran, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, had been suggested as a solution to prevent the development of hypertrophy altogether.

Previous work had demonstrated that a similar angiotensin II receptor drug prevented the development of hypertrophy when given to mouse models with early-stage disease, suggesting that valsartan may also be an effective treatment.

Overall, participants in the valsartan group demonstrated improved cardiac structure and function compared to the placebo group. The drug was also well-tolerated by participants, according to the authors, encouraging further investigation into the drug's long-term effects and determining the optimal time to administer the drug to patients.

[ConservativeMind]

The disease affect one in 500 people, and it is readily available. The condition appears at least partly genetic, so if someone has it in your family, consider getting tested and starting treatment.

[ConservativeMind]

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[sauropod]

bkmk

[entropy12]

Since heart failure was the most prevalent cause of death in males preceding me in my family, I began exercising at age 58. First it was playing 5 rounds of golf every week (seldom boring unless there was a very slow foursome ahead). Currently it is boring treadmill and light weight lifting 6 times every week.

Golf cured my irregular heart beats and chest pains after eating red meat. Now at age 82, my heart works good because the beats are regular in 63-65 range during rest and no chest pains no matter how big a steak I consume.

Sadly I rarely see anyone over age 70 in the gym.

[ConservativeMind]

I would like it if you had a lot of company of peers, but it’s beautiful you keep it up.

[entropy12]

I got no choice. 2 months after I stop daily exercise, I will be dead.

[ConservativeMind]

Why do you believe that to be the case!