No need to take blood pressure pills now? Scientists are testing a device that can reduce BP by stimulating nerves

Will BP pills soon be replaced? Image: Canva The worst thing about blood pressure medication is that they are for life. Once a person has been put on BP medication, it is for life in most cases. Doctors might adjust dosage but weaning from this medicine is quite uncommon. However a promising research published in the American Heart Association shows that blood pressure can actually be brought down by stimulating the ear with a small device.This tiny device is said to deliver gentle electrical pulses through the ear. This can be a brand new approach to treating difficult high blood pressure. In a clinical trial led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, the technology proved safe, well tolerated, and practical for patients to use at home.The device did not significantly reduce blood pressure across the entire group compared with a placebo. However, patients with more severe hypertension showed promising responses. The researchers believe that stimulating nerves in the ear could one day offer another treatment option for people who continue to struggle with high blood pressure despite taking medication.The findings are from the SCRATCH-HTN trial, published in Hypertension...