A single tablet containing a combination of medicines that combat high blood pressure could revolutionise treatment and save thousands of lives each year, according to research.
Experts say that patients with the common condition – also known as hypertension – often fail to take all their prescribed daily pills, raising their risk of life-threatening heart attacks and strokes.
However, new tablets which contain several crucial hypertension treatments have been shown to be effective at keeping the condition under control.
Australian researchers presented their findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London last week.
The treatments they examined contain three or four different drugs in a single pill. One example consisted of telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide – all of which are used to treat hypertension individually.
Experts say that patients with the common condition – also known as hypertension – often fail to take all their prescribed daily pills. (Stock image)
Around 30 per cent of adults across the country suffer from high blood pressure, and it is double that for those over 65. (Stock image)
High blood pressure also raises the risk of kidney disease. It is often triggered by poor lifestyle habits, such as bad diet, excessive alcohol and a lack of exercise. (Stock image)
Studies have shown that this tablet is effective at treating the condition in its early stages. The researchers also found that the triple drug combination was more effective than standard medicine for patients at the start of their treatment and none suffered side effects.
Around 30 per cent of adults across the country suffer from high blood pressure, and it is double that for those over 65.
It is often triggered by poor lifestyle habits, such as bad diet, excessive alcohol and a lack of exercise.
Symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision and chest pains. However high blood pressure often remains undetected until it triggers a stroke or heart attack.
High blood pressure also raises the risk of kidney disease.
‘We are suggesting a completely different concept,’ says Dr Anthony Rodgers from The George Institute for Global Health in Sydney, which is developing the new treatment.
‘Convenience and adherence will be an added advantage, but there’s more to it than that.
‘It’s about combining the different mechanisms of three separate drug classes to get a better [result] and being able to do this right from the start of treatment in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure, as well as those with higher levels.’
