The new five-in-one pill has the potential to reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes

A five-in-one pill could dramatically cut the number of heart attacks and strokes according to research published yesterday published in The Lancet yesterday.

The polypill or “Polycap”, as it is referred to, has been mooted for a number of years but recent trials show further evidence that it could reduce the cases of heart attacks and strokes by more than 80% in healthy individuals, according to the research.

The pill contains aspirin, a statin drug, folic acid and three blood pressure-lowering drugs, which used individually, help to combat heart-related diseases. In combining the drugs, reductions were seen in both blood pressure and cholesterol, without increasing the side effects.

Research carried out in India trialled the pill on 2,053 healthy individuals, aged 45-80 years. They were free of cardio-vascular disease, but had a risk factor such as high blood pressure or were a long-term smoker. Results showed that combining the drugs into one tablet delivered a similar effect to each drug separately.

June Davison of the British Heart Foundation commented: “The results suggest that the polypill has the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. We now need further research to examine whether the polypill actually reduces mortality.”

Mike Rich, Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, warned that the pill should not detract from advice to healthy eating and taking regular exercise: “There is a danger that these lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of ‘popping a pill’.”