Heart disease is the number one cause of death all over the world. It can lead to dangerous health problems like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure.
These problems often happen when people have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or unhealthy habits like eating badly, not moving enough, or smoking.
Doctors usually tell people to take different medicines to control these issues, but taking several pills every day can be difficult. People sometimes forget or stop taking them, which increases the chance of serious heart problems.
Now, a team of researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences has tested a much easier and cheaper solution. They created a single pill that combines four medicines often used to treat heart risks. This new pill is called the “polypill.” Instead of needing to remember four different pills, people can just take one.
The polypill includes two drugs that lower blood pressure, one that lowers cholesterol, and a small dose of aspirin, which helps prevent blood clots. Together, these medicines can stop arteries from getting blocked. When arteries are blocked, blood can’t flow properly to the heart or brain, which is what causes heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers tested the polypill in Iran with about 6,800 people between the ages of 50 and 75. Some of the people had already experienced heart problems before, while others had not. Everyone in the study was taught how to live a healthier life, such as eating better and exercising. But only half of the group was given the polypill to take regularly.
The pill used in the study had 81 milligrams of aspirin, 20 milligrams of atorvastatin (to lower cholesterol), 12.5 milligrams of hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill to lower blood pressure), and 5 milligrams of enalapril (another blood pressure medicine). These are all common drugs already used by many doctors around the world.
The study lasted for five years. The results were very encouraging. Only 6 out of 100 people who took the polypill had a major heart problem during that time. In the group that didn’t take the pill, 9 out of 100 had a serious issue like a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. That means the polypill reduced the risk by about 34%.
Even when the researchers adjusted the numbers to consider that some people might have been using other medications too, the polypill still showed a 22% lower risk of heart problems. People who took the polypill regularly saw even better results.
Their risk dropped by more than 70%, which shows how important it is to take medicine every day without missing any doses.
One interesting finding was that the cholesterol-lowering drug in the polypill seemed to give the biggest health benefit. The blood pressure medicines helped too, but the effect was not as strong. This tells us that keeping cholesterol levels low might be the most important part of preventing heart disease.
This simple one-pill method could be especially helpful for people in low-income countries, where many people can’t afford to go to the doctor often or buy several medicines. With the polypill, treatment becomes easier and cheaper. It also helps people stay on track with their medicine, which is very important for staying healthy.
In countries with better access to healthcare, the polypill might not change things as much. But in many places around the world, this one-pill approach could save many lives. This research shows that simple ideas can sometimes make a big difference. The polypill could be a powerful tool to protect people’s hearts, especially in places where help is needed most.
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