Sherri Dmyterko: It's the first innovation in hypertension treatment in more than a decade. Rasilex has received Health Canada approval for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure. Dr. Subodh Verma is a cardiac surgeon at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto and a Canadian Research Chair in Atherosclerosis.
Dr Subodh Verma: Rasilex is a significant advance in treatment because it inhibits Renin. Renin is an important molecule that is involved in the development of elevated blood pressure and Rasilex is the first agent approved in Canada that directly inhibits or blocks Renin.
Sherri Dmyterko: Controlling hypertension isn't easy and nearly 64% of patients require a combination of treatments to retain healthy blood pressure levels. Despite the advances made in treating hypertension, there is a clear need for new treatment options that will get patients controlled. When added to many existing therapies, Rasilex has been shown to provide 38-48% more blood pressure reduction.
Dr Subodh Verma: Clearly the two challenges that I face in treating high blood pressure is getting people to go -- getting them to a target blood pressure, and in fact ensuring that people stay on their medication. We do recommend that people stay on a certain regiment but compliance still remains the Achilles' heel when it comes to high blood pressure.
Rasilex has several unique attributes that makes it a very favorable agent for patients with mild to moderate hypertension or high blood pressure. First, it is a very effective blood pressure lowering medication.
Second, it is able to lower blood pressure effectively with a very low side effect profile. In fact, it is exceedingly well tolerated by patients.
Third, it mixes and matches quite well with patients background medications for high blood pressure.
Sherri Dmyterko: High blood pressure, which effects one in five Canadians, is often referred to as a silent killer, as it can't be seen or felt. Its a number 1 risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.
Dr Subodh Verma: I urge all of our patients out there to stay on their medications, to get to their target, because if they can do those two things, they may not feel much better, but certainly this will offer huge dividends with respect to reduction of heart attack, stroke, kidney risk, etcetera.
Sherri Dmyterko: Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can help, but most people will require medication to help get their blood pressure within healthy ranges.
Canadians now have a new therapeutic option to help get them to goal. For more information about treatment options that are right for you, speak with your doctor. Sherri Dmyterko reporting.
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