Melbourne researchers have uncovered a way to help people lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by simply drinking a shake, in a major breakthrough for anyone living with low blood pressure.

In a world first, researchers from Monash University uncovered a substance in the gut, known as short-chain fatty acids, that can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack, hypertension, and stroke.

“It can benefit everyone who has high blood pressure – that is one in three adult Australians,” lead researcher Professor Francine Marque said.

Now, they will trial whether the substance can be given orally as a shake. 

Christine Rees, a patient diagnosed with heart failure two decades ago, has lost several family members to heart disease. She is optimistic about the research. 

“It’s such a normal way of getting blood pressure low rather than an antihypertensive tablet,” she said.

“This would be a showstopper.”

Cardiovascular disease is the second biggest killer in Australia, responsible for 45,000 deaths a year. 

“That could be really life changing because hypertension is the leading risk factor,” researcher Dr Leticia Camargo said.

The shake is currently under product development at Monash University and if the trial is successful, it will be on pharmacy shelves within five years.