Millions of people high blood pressure pills daily, now scientists are testing a small device that stimulates nerves through ear, and a trial found it safe and easy to use at home

Key Points:

• A new non-invasive device delivering gentle electrical pulses through the ear shows promise in lowering blood pressure, particularly in patients with severe hypertension, according to a trial led by Queen Mary University of London.
• The device, using transcutaneous autonomic neuromodulation (tAN), targets the autonomic nervous system by stimulating nerves in the ear, potentially offering an alternative to lifelong blood pressure medication.
• In a clinical trial involving 63 patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite medication, the device was safe, well tolerated, and manageable for home use, though it did not significantly reduce blood pressure across the entire group.
• Patients with more severe hypertension experienced notable blood pressure reductions, suggesting this approach may benefit those with difficult-to-control high blood pressure, but larger studies are needed to confirm effectiveness.
• Researchers emphasize that while initial results are promising, further research is required to establish the treatment’s efficacy and identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this novel therapy.