THREE-in-1 “polypill”Research has shown that heart disease is reduced by three-quarters.
Experts believe the tablets, which contain aspirin, statins and a drug that lowers blood pressure, could make millions of people live longer.
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Today, less than half the patients who have suffered a heart attack take their medications afterward. This increases their chance of having another one.
However, medics discovered that people are more likely to follow a single daily dose of polypills than a combination of multiple drugs.
The trial results showed that cardiac death risk decreased by 33%
The “striking” findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress [must keep]Barcelona
Experts suggest that the 50p-aday Polypill should now be routine treatment for Brits suffering from a cardiac event.
An estimated 100,000 people are admitted each year to the UK’s hospitals after suffering a cardiac attack.
Lead scientist Dr Valentin Fuster, head of Spain’s National Centre for Cardiovascular Research, said he has “great hopes”The polypill is a lifesaver that will save thousands.
He said: “I am excited because the problem we have in cardiovascular health is that people do not adhere [to drugs]. We know that low levels of adherence lead to worse outcomes.
“Our study found the adherence to the polypill was significantly better than the pills taken separately. A polypill strategy is safe.
“The results are striking. The polypill group had less heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular death.”
The study included 2,500 patients who had suffered a cardiac attack within the last six months.
Half received a polypill that contained three drugs: aspirin and ramipril. The other half was given atorvastatin.
The rest received the usual care that involves several drugs.
After three years, heart deaths were 33% less common in those who had taken the polypill.