Health

New pill could help millions suffering with high blood pressure: Study

Aug 15, 2018

A new tablet could change the way high blood pressure is treated. Source: Pixabay

A new pill has been developed that could change the way high blood pressure is treated for the 4.1 million Australians and many more around the world impacted by hypertension.

A new three-in-one pill developed by The George Institute for Global Health found 70 per cent of all patients in a trial reached blood pressure targets when they took what is known as the “Triple Pill”. In comparison, around half of those receiving normal care were able to achieve this.

Researchers hope the findings, published in the JAMA Journal, will change guidelines around high blood pressure globally, given they imply the new pill could be safer and more effective than current measures of care.

“It’s estimated more than a billion people globally suffer from high blood pressure with the vast majority having poorly controlled blood pressure,” Dr Ruth Webster of the George Institute for Global Health said. “Our results could help millions of people globally reduce their blood pressure and reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke.”

Researchers gave patients in the trial three drugs at half dose to treat their high blood pressure. This is unusual given most patients start with one drug at a low dose, before it increases over time to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

“Patients are brought back at frequent intervals to see if they are meeting their targets with multiple visits required to tailor their treatments and dosage,” Webster added. “This is not only time inefficient, it’s costly.

“We also know that many doctors and patients find it too complicated and don’t stick to the process. This new approach is much simpler and it works.”

The trial was conducted in Sri Lanka and analysed 700 participants. They were randomly assigned to receive the new pill or their regular care. The Triple Pill contained 20mg of telmisartan, 2.5mg of amlodipine and 12.5mg of chlorthalidone.

Researchers are hopeful the new pill will help the World Heart Federation meet its goal of reducing blood pressure levels by 25 per cent by 2025.

“This study has global relevance,” Principal Investigator of the trial Anushka Patel said. “While the most pressing need, from the perspective of the global burden of disease, is low-and middle-income countries, it’s equally relevant in countries like Australia where we’re still achieving only 40 per cent – 50 per cent control rates for high blood pressure.”