Newswise — More than 675,000 people die each year from heart disease and stroke in the United States. Although notable gains have been made in prevention and treatment, according to Dr. Harvey B. Simon, editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch, there is more to do. The March issue of the newsletter discusses a proposal for the Pollypill, a medication that may have long-term benefits for those at risk for heart disease and stroke.
The Pollypill is not yet on the market, but clinical trials show this drug may reduce the risk of these illnesses by more than 80 percent and possibly add 11 years of life to those who take it. A single tablet contains six different medications: a statin, three types of blood pressure medications, folic acid, and a small dosage of aspirin.
According to the Harvard Men's Health Watch, these medications will help aid against conditions that could lead to heart attack or stroke such as: high LDL ("bad" ) cholesterol, blood clots, hypertension, and high levels of homocysteine.
The creators of Pollypill predict it will be taken by almost everyone over age 55, and younger people with cardiovascular disease. Harvard Men's Health Watch notes that this new development has the potential to offer great benefits for a large number of people, but it should not replace a lifestyle characterized by a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and wise health choices.
Harvard Men's Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of the Harvard Medical School. You can subscribe to Harvard Men's Health Watch for $32 per year at http://www.health.harvard.edu or by calling 1-877-649-9457 toll-free.
About Harvard Health PublicationsHarvard Health Publications, a division of Harvard Medical School, publishes five monthly newsletters and more than 50 special health reports and eight books drawing on the expertise of the 8,000 faculty physicians at the Harvard Medical School and its 17 affiliated hospitals. For more information visit our Web site, http://www.health.harvard.edu
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