Polypill can halve heart disease – researchers

The world’s first international trial of a “polypill” has shown it can cut the risk of heart disease and stroke in half.

The four-in-one drug contains aspirin and chemicals to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Separate pills are already prescribed to millions of people worldwide to lower the chances of heart attack and stroke.

But researchers have long been looking at the prospect of a combined pill, with some suggesting it should be taken by everyone over the age of 55 to cut the risk of disease.

Experts also believe people will find it easier to take just one pill, which could be made cheaply.

In the latest study, published in the journal Public Library of Science One, experts tested the pill in 378 people who did not already need any of its components, but who had more than a 7.5 per cent estimated risk of cardiovascular disease.

The drug contained 75mg of aspirin, the two blood pressure drugs lisinopril (10mg) and hydrochlorothiazide (12.5mg), and 20mg of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin.

The participants came from the UK, Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and the US.

Twelve weeks after the start of the study, experts analysed the effect of the drug on blood pressure, cholesterol and how well it was tolerated.

The drugs did cause side effects, including stomach irritation and coughs, in about one in six people.

Overall, about one in 20 people stopped the treatment due to side effects, suggesting the drug may be best targeted at those with the highest risk of disease. Anthony Rodgers, professor at The George Institute for Global Health, said: “The results show a halving in heart disease and stroke can be expected for people taking this polypill long-term.