Can a common blood pressure drug better protect hearts in obesity?

NCT ID NCT04519164

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This completed study tested whether eplerenone, a drug that blocks a hormone called aldosterone, improves blood flow and reduces scarring in the heart more than another drug, chlorthalidone, in 79 people with obesity and high blood pressure. Participants took one of the two drugs, and researchers used heart MRIs to measure changes. The goal was to see if eplerenone offers extra heart protection beyond just lowering blood pressure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Eplerenone (a blood pressure drug) and chlorthalidone with potassium chloride (another blood pressure drug)

What this could lead to

If eplerenone works better, it could point to a more targeted way to protect the heart in people with obesity and high blood pressure.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed Phase 4 trial with only 79 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs have known side effects like electrolyte imbalances.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome hypertensive disorder metabolic syndrome X Obesity obesity disorder Overweight

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States