For Patients

What is Hypertension and Why Does It Matter?

High blood pressure – also called hypertension – is a common condition that affects more than half of people aged 60 and older. It means that the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this can damage your blood vessels and vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys — even if you feel no symptoms.

Many people with hypertension do not know they have it. But untreated high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of serious health problems, such as:

Heart attack
Stroke
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Cognitive decline and dementia

The good news is: hypertension is treatable. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications and death. Yet, for many individuals, blood pressure remains elevated despite existing treatments—highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapeutic treatments.

The SGLT2 HYPE study explores a modern treatment option to better protect patients with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks.

FAQ for Patients

1. Background: Why is this study important?

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects more than 50% of adults over the age of 65 and is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and premature death. While current treatments help lower blood pressure, many patients still have a high risk of complications due to ongoing damage to organs such as the heart and kidneys.

2. What is the purpose of this study?

SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are medications originally developed for type 2 diabetes and heart failure. These drugs also lower blood pressure and may protect organs. This study will test whether the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin can prevent major cardiovascular and kidney events in people over 65 years of age with poorly controlled hypertension.

3. What are the potential benefits?

You may benefit from:

Improved blood pressure control
Protection against heart and kidney disease
Contributing to research that may improve future treatment guidelines

Please note: as this is a randomized placebo controlled study, not all participants will receive the active drug.

4. How does the study work?

Here’s what you can expect if you take part in the study:

Health Check (Screening): We’ll begin with a medical check-up to see if the study is right for you.
Treatment Assignment (Randomization): You’ll be randomly assigned to receive either the study medication (dapagliflozin) or a placebo (a look-alike with no active ingredient).
Ongoing Care (Follow-up): You’ll have regular check-ups and tests over several years so we can closely monitor your health.
Digital Support: You’ll get access to a simple, user-friendly app to help you keep track of your blood pressure, appointments, medications, and questionnaires.

5. Who can participate?

You may be eligible for the SGLT2 HYPE study if the following criteria apply:

You are 60 years of age or older,
You have high blood pressure, defined as either:
- Systolic blood pressure (the upper number) of 140 mmHg or higher, or
- Diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) of 90 mmHg or higher,
In addition, you either have:
- A history of cardiovascular disease, such as:
- A previous heart attack (more than 3 months ago),
- A previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (mini-stroke),
- Stable angina or diagnosed coronary artery disease,
- Peripheral artery disease (e.g. narrowed leg arteries),

– or –

- At least one of the following cardiovascular risk factors:
  - Currently smoking more than one cigarette per day for over one year,
  - LDL-cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”) above 4.0 mmol/L,
  - Older age (≥75 years),
  - A high cardiovascular risk score,
  - Obesity, with a body mass index (BMI) over 32 kg/m²,
  - Reduced kidney function

All potential participants will undergo a screening visit, including blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and a health questionnaire to confirm eligibility.

6. How to participate

If you’re interested in joining the study, we’d love to hear from you!
Simply fill out the contact form below, and a member of our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible to provide more information and answer any questions you may have.