Latest Polypill Stories

Checks have not reduced number of deaths from cardiovascular disease or cancer Researchers have found that routine general health checks, which have become common practice in some countries, do not reduce the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease or cancer. They do, however, increase the number of new diagnoses. Health checks were defined as screening for more than one disease or risk factor in more than one organ system offered to a general population unselected for disease or...

Many patients with type 2 diabetes may be aspirin resistant. That means the standard aspirin dose may not protect them against blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes among diabetics, a new clinical study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston. "This result adds to our understanding of the prevalence of this problem, which varies considerably among studies," said lead author Subhashini Yaturu, M.D., section chief of...

Study suggests a new approach for monitoring and treating high blood pressure, especially in younger people The current "watch-and-wait" approach to high blood pressure readings in younger people may set patients on a course for irreversible heart damage, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further...

A new study in today’s New England Journal of Medicine reports that while an individual’s risk of heart disease may be low in the next five or 10 years, the lifetime risk could still be very high, findings that could have implications for both clinical practice and public health policy. “The current approach to heart disease prevention focuses on only short-term risks, which can give a false sense of security, particularly to individuals in their 40s and 50s,” said Dr. Jarett...

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Newly diagnosed diabetes and hypertension patients may have more time to learn how to control their high blood pressure without medications. The consequences of delaying effective hypertension treatment for up to a year were small—only a two day reduction in quality-adjusted life expectancy—according to a study by University of Chicago researchers. "Most patients would prefer to control their blood pressure through diet and exercise rather than with...

Online tool motivates patients to maintain a healthier lifestyle, leading to a twofold decrease in blood pressure compared to those who didn't participate E-counselling can significantly lower blood pressure, improve lifestyle and enhance quality of life, says Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Robert Nolan. "E-counselling has the potential to strengthen the effects of medical treatment for high blood pressure," Dr. Nolan told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, which is...

A major new international study involving researchers from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital has revealed that aspirin, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are prescribed far too infrequently. They are cheap, preventive medicines that could prevent a huge number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes. The result of a research collaboration between 17 countries, the study is being published in the highly revered medical...

There is great under-use of proven therapies for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, according to results presented today from the PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological) study. “The study indicates a large gap in secondary prevention globally," said Dr Salim Yusuf, lead author and Executive Director of the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University, Canada. "We found extremely low rates of use of proven therapies in all countries, but these were...

A global study in 17 countries A global study in 17 countries led by McMaster University researchers has found too few patients are using drugs proven to give significant benefits in warding off a heart attack or stroke. This is true in high income countries, like Canada, as well as middle and low income countries, say the international team of researchers who conducted the PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological) study. The study was published today in the medical journal, The...