Men over 50 should take a so-called ‘polypill’ to cut down the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
That is according to the Government’s leading cardiac expert, Professor Roger Boyle. He says it will provide a much-needed boost to the nation’s health and relieve the pressure on the NHS. The pill would contain statin, which attacks cholesterol, aspirin and drugs to combat blood pressure.
It’s estimated the pill would cost about £6bn to prescribe to all men over 50, but heart disease and strokes currently cost the NHS about £14bn a year. There are no polypills currently on the market but one is being tested in New Zealand, and would cost one pound a day.
Professor Boyle told the Daily Mail: “Although we have seen a decrease in death rates, heart disease remains our biggest killer. It kills more than all the cancers put together.“The short cut to all this is to say that when you are a man of 50, you need treatment.”
Critics of the scheme claim it will make otherwise healthy people into patients.They also say it will lead to some neglecting other parts of their life - such as dietary habits and exercise.
Source: Skynews