July 19, 2012
Polypill trial shows possible benefit to over
50s
Giving polypills to people aged over 50 can
help to reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure, two common
risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, research has shown.
Over 50s, with no history of
cardiovascular disease, were given a polypill containing
three blood pressure lowering medicines and a
statin for lowering cholesterol. They experienced a 12
percent reduction in blood pressure and a 39 percent reduction in
LDL cholesterol.
Staying active, eating healthily and not smoking are still vital ways to help keep your heart in good shape
Natasha Stewart, our
Senior Cardiac Nurse, said: “Research into polypills is
encouraging, but there are still
many questions to
answer before this ‘wonder drug’ is prescribed by
doctors.
“This research only studied a very small
number of people, so we’d need to see further large scale
trials on a wider population to get more detailed
results. It is also hard to say if the near-perfect adherence rate
for taking the pills would be seen in real life.
“However interesting this potential new pill
is, medicines are not a substitute for living a
healthy
lifestyle. Staying active, eating healthily and not
smoking are still vital ways to help keep your heart in good
shape.”
This study was published in the journal
PLoS One.