Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Combo Heart Pills Enter Trials in London

The cheap drugs could halve deaths from heart attack, stroke

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2008 8:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Trials begin this week in London on a cheap "polypill" that could cut heart attack and stroke deaths in half worldwide, the Guardian reports. The pill combines four drugs—aspirin, a cholesterol-lowering statin, an ACE inhibitor, and thiazine to battle high blood pressure. The aim is to sell it—for about $1 a month—over the counter at pharmacies in the developing world, where cardiovascular disease is soaring.

Funding the long-envisioned polypill has been difficult because it offers little opportunity for drug-company profit. “We spent a few years trying to persuade a number of companies to do this, but got nowhere. A pill with established medicines that halved cardiovascular risk and could be available for £20 a year could be seen as a threat,” said a researcher. The so-called Red Heart pill has been manufactured by an Indian drug company for the two UK organizations backing the trials.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

It has been difficult to find funding for research into the cheap pills. (Shutterstock)

Inexpensive pills are entering London trials. (Shutterstock)

The pills combine four drugs, including aspirin. (Shutterstock)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Seventeen million people die of heart disease and strokes every year and 80% of deaths are in developing countries. Polypill enthusiasts say the death toll could be halved by the daily Red Heart tablet, which would cost $1 a month.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Drug May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Half

'Blockbuster' study could transform preventative care

(NEWSER) - A simple test and drug prescription can prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks and strokes, researchers say. Announced today at an American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans, the study of almost 18,000 volunteers in 26 nations confirmed that inflammation leads to heart disease—and can be counteracted by taking a cholesterol-lowering statin, the Washington Post reports. More»

Chocolate Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke

Small amount of dark chocolate daily lowers heart attack, stroke risk

(NEWSER) - Eating small amounts of chocolate may lower your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, according to new research out today. In a study of 19,000 middle-aged subjects, German scientists noted lower blood pressure in those who ate the most chocolate, accompanied by a 39% lower risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those who ate the least. More»

An Aspirin a Day May Be Too Much: Docs

Side effects may outweigh benefits for some

(NEWSER) - The blanket advice that middle-aged people should take low-dose aspirin every day to ward off a heart attack or stroke is too broad, warn medical experts. For those who have a history of heart disease or have already suffered an ischemic stroke, the advice is sound. But for others in good health, the latest guidelines say doctors and patients must give more weight to the risk of side effects, such as bleeding ulcers. More»

Eating Right: Some Unusual Suspects

Celery, seaweed could work wonders for your diet

(NEWSER) - The usual admonitions we hear at this time of year about eating right are probably going in one ear and out the other, so perhaps these unusual health-food suspects from Men’s Health will catch your attention as you prepare that New Year’s resolution.

Celery: Its phytochemicals are thought to lower blood pressure. Bonus: It’s great in Bloody Marys.
Seaweed: High in potassium and calcium, which lower blood pressure. You’re most likely to see it wrapped around sushi.

Eating Right Slims Risk of Strokes, Heart Attacks

Fruits and veggies boosted heart health, study finds

(NEWSER) - Women following a government-recommended diet to lower blood pressure significantly reduced their risk of heart attacks and strokes, AP reports. Those following a diet high in fruit, vegetables and grains were 24% less likely to have a heart attack and 18% less likely to have a stroke than women eating typical American diets, according to the study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Combo Heart Pills Enter Trials in London