Poly Pill; One Pill Cures All
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. For both men and women, over the age of 55, this risk for a cardiac event, and even death, is significant. With recent research development, a new form of preventative therapy may soon hit the market in what is known as the cardiovascular Polypill. Understanding the concept of the Polypill, the recommendations for usage, contraindications and results of trial studies, will prepare the general public for the anticipated next preventative health program in the treatment of heart disease.
Not yet approved for use, the Polypill preventative concept is the one pill option in preventative therapy for cardiovascular health in individuals over age 55 as well as any individual with a risk for developing cardiovascular disease at any age. Containing six active ingredients, aspirin, folic acid, a cholesterol lowering drug (known as statin) and three drugs to lower blood pressure, the Polypill is anticipated to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by up to 80% and add as many as 11 years to the average life span. In today’s standard treatment regimen, many physicians recommend the use of aspirin in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes due to the anti-platelet functionality. By combining statins, a cholesterol lowering drug, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, also known as blood pressure lowering drugs, with folic acid, the development of a preventative cardiovascular therapy may unfold. The concept behind the Polypill would involve use of one pill per day as a preventative measure for anyone over the age of 55 and for all individuals with a risk factor for developing heart disease or any other cardiac event.
Used as a prevention therapy, the trial studies of the Polypill have proved significant results. Not recommended for individuals with pre-existing liver disorder, sensitivity to aspirin, individuals with asthma, blood disorders nor for individuals who smoke, the Polypill could be effectively approved as an over the counter preventative measure, on low doses, similar to the purchase of aspirin. Initial studies revealed one in three adults benefited from the use of the Polypill following several months of treatment. Additionally, the cost associated with manufacture and distribution of the Polypill is essentially negated as the active ingredients are available in generic form.
At present, studies into the use of a multi-ingredient cardiovascular preventative medication are underway. Once approved for use, the Polypill could provide the preventative weapon against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, with no prescription or prior health screening required.
