Blood Pressure Drugs & Kidney Damage: New Discovery
- Long-term treatment for high blood pressure using widely prescribed medications may impair the kidney's ability to filter blood, according to researchers at the University of Virginia School of...
- RAS inhibitors relax blood vessels by blocking the renin enzyme.
- Researchers describe the altered kidney as a "pathological neuro-immune endocrine organ" that can trigger serious health issues.
Long-term use of common high blood pressure drugs, including RAS inhibitors, may cause kidney damage, a new discovery reveals.Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine found these medications, while effective against hypertension, can lead to kidney scarring and functional changes, potentially shifting the organ’s primary function from filtration. This pivotal finding suggests that the moast widely prescribed and presumed safe blood pressure treatments might negatively impact the kidneys over time. This research could pave the way for safer high blood pressure treatments, highlighting new challenges for the 1.3 billion people affected globally. News Directory 3 is following the story closely, providing updates as thay unfold. Discover what’s next as we explore the future of hypertension treatment and kidney health.
Common High Blood Pressure Drugs May Cause Kidney Damage
Updated June 08, 2025
Long-term treatment for high blood pressure using widely prescribed medications may impair the kidney’s ability to filter blood, according to researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The findings shed light on how renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, while effectively managing hypertension, can negatively impact kidney function over time.
RAS inhibitors relax blood vessels by blocking the renin enzyme. Doctors often prescribe them as a first-line treatment for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. However, prolonged use can lead to kidney damage, including scarring and functional changes that shift the organ’s focus from filtration to renin production.
Researchers describe the altered kidney as a “pathological neuro-immune endocrine organ” that can trigger serious health issues. R. ariel Gomez, MD, of UVA’s Child Health Research center, said the team’s discovery could pave the way for methods to protect the kidneys and improve hypertension treatment. “The most commonly used and believed-to-be safe blood pressure medications may be damaging the kidneys,” Gomez said. “We need to accurately understand the effects of long-term use of RAS inhibitors on the kidneys.”
High blood pressure affects over 1.3 billion peopel globally, forcing the heart to work harder and potentially leading to stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, and vision loss. The RAS system regulates blood pressure, with renin, a hormone enzyme produced by kidney cells, playing a crucial role.
While RAS inhibitors are generally safe under medical supervision,patients are advised to seek medical attention if they experience signs of kidney damage,such as reduced urination,swelling in the legs or feet,or seizures.
The UVA study reveals that excessive stimulation of renin-producing cells causes them to revert to an invasive, embryonic state.These cells then grow too large and secrete renin and other substances that trigger nerve growth, smooth muscle cell buildup, scarring around arterioles, and inflammatory cell infiltration. This results in vascular disease, according to the researchers.
Manako Yamaguchi, PhD, another researcher, explained that 3D imaging showed long-term RAS inhibition leads to hyperinnervation of renal arteries, arteriolar hypertrophy, and immune inflammatory cell infiltration. “This neuro-immune-endocrine cooperation synergistically promotes increased production of renin to maintain blood pressure homeostasis, but, conversely, severe arteriolar hypertrophy reduces the blood filtration function of the kidney,” yamaguchi said.
Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD, said understanding the causes of these harmful changes could lead to ways to prevent them. “Our next goal is to elucidate the whole picture of the interactions between renin cells, smooth muscle cells, nerves and inflammatory cells under RAS inhibition,” said Sequeira-Lopez.”These findings may open new avenues for the prevention of adverse effects when treating hypertension.”
What’s next
Further research will focus on the interactions between kidney cells, nerves, and inflammatory cells during RAS inhibition to develop strategies for preventing adverse effects of hypertension treatment and improving kidney health.