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

Once-a-Day Heart Combo Pill Wows Researchers

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 30, 2009 6:29 PM CDT

(AP) – It's been a dream for a decade: a single daily pill combining aspirin, cholesterol medicine and a blood pressure drug—everything people need to prevent heart attacks and strokes in a cheap, generic form. Skeptics pooh-poohed it, but now the first big test of the "polypill" has proved them wrong. An experimental combo pill was as effective as nearly all of its components taken alone, with no greater side effects, a major study found.

Taking the pill—called Polycap, an experimental combo formulated by a company in India— could cut a person's risk of heart disease and stroke roughly in half. No price for the polypill has been disclosed, but its generic components cost only a total of $17 a month now and doctors expect the combo would sell for far less. "Widely applied, this could have profound implications," said one expert.

A newly studied "polypill" could greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. (Shutterstock)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

More Newser Stories

Antibiotics Do Zilch for Sinus Infections

Researchers think amoxicillin is over-prescribed

(NEWSER) - The next time you get a sinus infection, maybe you should skip the antibiotics—because they don't actually do anything for you, a new study has found. Researchers discovered that patients who received the commonly-prescribed amoxicillin didn't see any significant benefit in terms of symptom reduction compared to those who got a placebo. "Our results show that antibiotics aren't necessary for basic sinus infections," the study's senior author tells the AFP . "Most people get better on their own." More»

Sen. Mark Kirk Has a Stroke

Illinois Republican who won Barack Obama's seat hospitalized

(NEWSER) - The Republican who replaced Barack Obama in the US Senate underwent surgery today, after suffering a stroke this weekend, his office has revealed. Mark Kirk, 52, is currently recovering in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reports. "Due to his young age, good health, and the nature of the stroke, doctors are very confident in the Senator's recovery," his office said in a sparse statement. More»

Heart Patients Told Sex Is Safe—but Not Affairs

Risk of dying during sex miniscule for most patients, study finds

(NEWSER) - Having sex is safe for the vast majority of heart patients as long as they use a little common sense, according to a report from the American Heart Association. Fewer than 1% of heart attacks are linked to sex and patients cleared for physical activity and capable of climbing two flights of stairs shouldn't fear that the next time they have sex will be the last, the report found. People with more severe or unstable symptoms should consult their doctors before resuming sex and all patients should avoid combining nitroglycerine with erectile dysfunction drugs. More»

Save Your Heart: Walk Before the Big Meal

Exercise 12 hours before eating lessens spike in dangerous fats

(NEWSER) - The best time to walk off a gut-busting Thanksgiving dinner is at least 12 hours before you eat it, researchers say. Studies have found that light exercise, like a half-hour walk, done 12 to 16 hours before a big meal significantly reduces the post-meal spike in a type of fat called triglycerides, the Wall Street Journal reports. Triglycerides penetrate arterial walls easily and elevated levels of them have been linked to a much higher heart attack risk. More»

Beer Can Be Good For Your Heart

...at least in moderation

(NEWSER) - Bottoms up, beer lovers, because wine fans aren’t the only ones who get to rationalize their drinking habits anymore! Researchers examining 16 studies involving some 200,000 participants have concluded that drinking about a pint of beer a day reduces your risk of heart disease by an average of 31%, LiveScience reports, a benefit similar to that of drinking a glass of wine a day. 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

Once-a-Day Heart Combo Pill Wows Researchers

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

stroke • heart health • medical study

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Antibiotics Do Zilch for Sinus Infections

Researchers think amoxicillin is over-prescribed

Sen. Mark Kirk Has a Stroke

Illinois Republican who won Barack Obama's seat hospitalized

Heart Patients Told Sex Is Safe—but Not Affairs

Risk of dying during sex miniscule for most patients, study finds

Save Your Heart: Walk Before the Big Meal

Exercise 12 hours before eating lessens spike in dangerous fats

Beer Can Be Good For Your Heart

...at least in moderation

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Once-a-Day Heart Combo Pill Wows Researchers

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

stroke • heart health • medical study

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Antibiotics Do Zilch for Sinus Infections

Researchers think amoxicillin is over-prescribed

Sen. Mark Kirk Has a Stroke

Illinois Republican who won Barack Obama's seat hospitalized

Heart Patients Told Sex Is Safe—but Not Affairs

Risk of dying during sex miniscule for most patients, study finds

Save Your Heart: Walk Before the Big Meal

Exercise 12 hours before eating lessens spike in dangerous fats

Beer Can Be Good For Your Heart

...at least in moderation

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?