B2 – Upper Intermediate
The drug, called baxdrostat, was tested in people with treatment-resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to existing medicines). In the trial, those taking baxdrostat plus standard medication had their systolic blood pressure fall about 9-10 mmHg more than people on placebo.
Read the article to know more about baxdrostat.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “resistant hypertension” mean? “The results of a large clinical trial, published August 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that baxdrostat could offer an alternative for people with resistant hypertension.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “hyperfiltration” mean? “Kidney effects were minor and may even be beneficial, he says, because they may reduce harmful hyperfiltration.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “withdrawal phase” mean in a clinical trial? “The trial also included an eight-week withdrawal phase.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the potential benefits of baxdrostat? How about the What are the concerns and side effects?
- Share your thoughts on this, “Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious condition where blood pressure is consistently too high, affecting over 1.2 billion adults globally.“
- Why do you think it is important to keep find new hypertension medicines?
- What are some ways people can lower their blood pressure without medicine?
- Do you know anyone who struggles with hypertension? How is it like for them?