Catchphrase reminder on cholesterol drugs

More than a third of people prescribed drugs for high cholesterol are putting themselves at a dramatically increased risk of heart problems by failing to take their medication for the condition, a health charity has warned.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th May 2012, 07:00 BST

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said online research into 1,025 people in the UK conducted in February has shown 36 per cent of cholesterol patients fail to take their prescribed medicine for the condition.

The findings have been released as the charity launched a campaign to get people prescribed medicines for heart problems or “risk factor” conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure to take their medication.

The charity said it was naming the campaign after the late comedian Tommy Cooper in the hope that people will use his catchphrase “just like that” to take their medication. Dr Mike Knapton, BHF associate medical director, said: “Tommy Cooper famously and tragically died on stage from a heart attack.

“We hope his catchphrase ‘just like that’ will prevent others suffering the same fate,” Dr Knapton said.

British Heart Foundation