Trial launch for health pill

An international trial has been launched to see if a one-a-day pill can cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th May 2010, 10:42 BST

Updated 18th May 2010, 10:42 BST

The "polypill" combines aspirin, a statin to lower cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering medicines.

A trial in India in 2009 found that they could halve rates of heart attacks and strokes.

The latest trial involves testing a drug called the Red Heart Pill. Researchers are recruiting 2,000 volunteers who are at high risk of heart attack or stroke, or who have already suffered one.

The trial is called UMPIRE (Use of a Multidrug Pill In Reducing cardiovascular Events) and has been launched in London, Ireland and Holland