Monday, 31-03-2025
Research
International study on high blood pressure therapy
Under the coordination of the University of Lübeck and the UKSH, a European consortium is investigating the effect of dapagliflozin on reducing the risk of heart, kidney and vascular disease in hypertension.
High blood pressure is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease. In order to find new ways of treating high blood pressure, the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) has now launched an international research project funded with 6.99 million euros from the European Union's Horizon Europe program. The SGLT2 HYPE study is investigating whether the compound dapagliflozin, which is already used to treat heart failure and diabetes, not only lowers blood pressure, but also reduces the risk of hypertension-associated secondary diseases and improves cardiovascular and kidney health in the long term.
Prof. Dr. Ingo Eitel, Director of the Medical Clinic II, Campus Lübeck, and head of the study, emphasizes: “The SGLT2 HYPE study offers a unique opportunity to gain new, evidence-based knowledge for hypertension therapy. It could provide millions of patients with better and safer treatment.” The interdisciplinary consortium is led by researchers from the University Heart Center Lübeck and the University of Lübeck and brings together 17 renowned partners from 13 European countries, including leading academic institutions, health economics experts, cardiovascular societies and patient organizations.
Hypertension: an underestimated risk
High blood pressure (hypertension) affects over 80 million people in the EU. Older people in particular are at risk, and despite existing treatment options, the risk of secondary diseases such as heart attacks or kidney failure remains high. According to current estimates, over 20 million adults suffer from high blood pressure in Germany alone. Worldwide, high blood pressure is responsible for ten million deaths every year.
A new therapeutic approach with SGLT2 inhibitors
Previous studies have shown that so-called SGLT2 inhibitors can lower blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys. However, it has not yet been clearly proven whether these positive effects actually prevent serious secondary diseases in the long term. This is precisely where the SGLT2 HYPE study comes in: It aims to clarify whether these drugs can sustainably improve the health of people with high blood pressure. Dr. Elias Rawish, co-leader of the study, emphasizes the necessity of this EU-funded study: “We need to test in a scientifically sound manner whether dapagliflozin not only lowers blood pressure, but also reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events and premature death in the long term.”
Study design: what will be investigated
Over 3,000 people with high blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg) whose risk of cardiovascular disease is particularly high are taking part in the study. In addition to their existing treatment, they will receive either the drug dapagliflozin (10 mg) or, if they belong to the control group, a placebo. The study is investigating whether the drug can prevent serious health consequences such as heart attacks, strokes or kidney damage. It also analyzes whether the quality of life of the participants improves. The study will be carried out over seven years at 53 medical centers throughout Europe. The central coordination of the study centers will be carried out by the study center of the Medical Clinic II at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, headed by Dr. Roza Saraei.
Significance for patients and the healthcare system
If the positive effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are confirmed, this could fundamentally change the treatment of hypertension. Every year, up to 250,000 premature deaths could be prevented worldwide and the European healthcare system could be saved up to ten billion euros per year.
• ARTTIC Innovation GmbH (AI, Deutschland)
• Bogomolets National Medical University (BNMU, Ukraine)
• Deutsche Herzstiftung (DHS, Deutschland)
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK, Deutschland)
• Instituto Investigacion Sanitaria Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (IIS-FJD Spanien)
• General Practitioners Research Institute (GPRI, Niederlande)
• Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung Ludwigshafen (IHF, Deutschland)
• Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (INSERM, Frankreich)
• IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna (IRCCS AouBO, Italien)
• Medizinische Universität Innsbruck (MUI, Österreich)
• Narodowy Instytut Kardiologii Stefana Kardynala Wyszynskiego - Panstwowy Instytut Badawczy (NIKARD, Polen)
• Univerzitetni Klinicni Center Ljubljana (UKCL, Slovenien)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH, Deutschland) - Coordinator
• University of Glasgow (UoG, Vereinigtes Königreich)
• Universidade Do Porto (UPORTO, Portugal)
• Vseobecna Fakultni Nemocnice V Praze (VFNP, Tschechien)
• Viesoji Istaiga Vilniaus Universiteto Ligonine Santaros Klinikos (VULSK, Litauen)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ingo Eitel
Universität zu Lübeck und
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck
Medizinische Klinik II (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Intensivmedizin),
E-Mail: ingo.eitel(at)uksh(dot)de
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