Scientists May Have Found a New Cause of High Blood Pressure, And a Way to Treat It

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and the University of Auckland identified a brain region that links breathing signals to blood pressure control in rat experiments.

The lateral parafacial region can drive sympathetic nervous system activity and raise blood pressure; silencing it normalized blood pressure in hypertensive animals.

The findings suggest a new cause of hard-to-control hypertension and point to a potential brain-based treatment target.

The work may be especially relevant for patients with sleep apnea-related hypertension and other forms of neurogenic high blood pressure.