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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Obesity and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422085
Research Project: Utilizing Precision Approaches to Refine Dietary Guidance of Americans to Reduce Chronic Disease

Location: Obesity and Metabolism Research

Title: Hypertension and the gut microbiome: A science advisory from the American Heart Association

Author
item YANG, TAO - University Of Toledo
item MAKI, KATHERINE - National Institutes Of Health (NIH)
item MARQUES, FRANCINE - Monash University
item CAI, JUN - Beijing Institute Of Heart, Lung, And Blood Vessel Diseases
item JOE, BINA - University Of Toledo
item PIPINE, CARL - University Of Florida
item PLUZNICK, JENNIFER - Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine
item MEYER, KATIE - University Of North Carolina
item KIRABO, ANNET - Vanderbilt University
item Bennett, Brian

Submitted to: Hypertension
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2025
Publication Date: 7/17/2025
Citation: Yang, T., Maki, K.A., Marques, F.Z., Cai, J., Joe, B., Pipine, C.J., Pluznick, J.L., Meyer, K.A., Kirabo, A., Bennett, B.J. 2025. Hypertension and the gut microbiome: A science advisory from the American Heart Association. Hypertension. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000247.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000247

Interpretive Summary: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health problem that can lead to heart and kidney diseases. While many people can control it with medicine, about 15-20% of patients still struggle, even when using multiple drugs. Scientists have discovered that bacteria in our gut, called the gut microbiome, play a role in blood pressure control. High salt diets, fasting, and gut health all interact to influence blood pressure. New research shows that balancing the gut microbiome—through probiotics, fiber, fasting, or special treatments like fecal transplants—might help manage high blood pressure. Clinical trials in humans are testing if these methods work. Though promising, more research is needed to fully understand how gut bacteria impact blood pressure and to create precise treatments. This scientific statement is written for the American Heart Association and focuses on the role of the microbiome and hypertension.

Technical Abstract: approximately 15-20% of hypertensive patients have “treatment resistant” hypertension, which persists often in spite of aggressive clinical treatments often consisting of = 3 medication classes, including a diuretic. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that alterations in the gut microbiome can impact blood pressure, suggesting an important role for this non-conventional cardiovascular risk factor. This innovative association suggests there is a novel therapeutic opportunity for hypertension: modification the gut microbiome to control hypertension. In line with this hypothesis, several clinical trials have been launched to examine whether hypertension can be managed by targeting the gut microbiome. This American Heart Association Science Advisory aims to outline current clinical evidence and raise awareness among the healthcare community about the importance of the gut microbiome in treating patients with hypertension. It also intends to update knowledge and identify knowledge gaps for researchers, which would facilitate the rapid translation of findings into clinical trials and practice.