A first trial of the polypill (which already has a brand name, Polycap), has been successful, according to a report that was to be presented at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., and online in The Lancet. "We know that there are many medications that are beneficial," Teo said. The polypill contains generic versions of the blood pressure medications atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide and rampiril, as well as simvastatin (Zocor) and aspirin. -- Create a single pill that contains a statin, three blood pressure drugs and aspirin, and you have an inexpensive medication that can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

It is designed to attack three major risk factors of cardiovascular disease -- high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and formation of artery-blocking blood clots. It is being tested by an Indian company, Cadila Pharma. "But often people don't like to take many pills, and doctors don't give patients all the pills they might need.". The idea was originated by a group of physicians trained in India and now at McMaster University in Canada, said Dr.

Koon Teo, a professor of medicine at McMaster and a member of the research team.