The FDA has approved Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ Valturna (aliskiren and valsartan) tablets, the first and only medicine to target two key points within the renin system. Also known as the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), it is an important regulator of blood pressure. Valturna is to be used for the treatment of high blood pressure in patients not adequately controlled on aliskiren or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy and as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals.

InterCure Ltd. has announced the U.S. release of its next generation hypertension treatment device, RESPeRATE Ultra. The RESPeRATE Ultra was designed with input from thousands of RESPeRATE users. Featuring a large, enhanced display, fewer buttons and simple menus, the unit was crafted to not only provide the same blood pressure reduction results as its predecessor, but also provide an enhanced, pleasurable device-guided breathing experience. The RESPeRATE Ultra also includes a first-of-its-kind interactive tutorial that guides the user to quickly learn to use the device to most effectively lower his or her blood pressure.

An article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has indicated that statins, which are usually prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels, might reduce blood pressure in patients. The study, led by Beatrice A Golomb and conducted on 973 participants, demonstrated that there was a noticeable decline in blood pressure in patients taking statins, a drug that inhibits an enzyme involved in the synthesis of cholesterol.