Single polypill reduces risk of heart attacks and strokes, study finds

Large trial held in Iran of inexpensive medication combining four common drugs

A cheap, single pill taken once a day that combines four common drugs is safe and reduces the risk of events such as heart attacks, strokes and sudden death in people over the age of 50, research has found.

The study, the first large-scale trial to date, looked at the effectiveness of a so-called polypill - a four-in-one therapy containing drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure that was first proposed more than 15 years ago. The researchers found those taking the polypill had a more than 30% lower risk of serious heart problems than those just offered advice.