University of Virginia Health System Nov 21 2024 University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have discovered how long-term treatment of high blood pressure with commonly prescribed drugs can destroy the kidney's ability to filter and purify blood. The finding could open the door to better ways to manage high blood pressure and other vascular diseases. The class of drugs, known as renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, block the effects of the renin enzyme, relaxing blood vessels