London, Jan 13 (NI24) Combining two drugs for treating blood pressure (BP) ensures better and faster results with fewer side effects than a single compound. Doctors usually start treatment with one medicine and then add others over a period of months, if needed, to control the condition.
This finding, based on a study of 1,250 patients, shows that it is best to start treatment with two medicines together at the same time, the journal Lancet reports.
These can be combined into a single pill, simplifying things for patients who will still have to take one pill, according to a Cambridge University statement.
Morris Brown of the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital said: 'The ACCELERATE study breaks the mould for treating hypertension.
'Most patients can now be prescribed a single combination pill and know that they are optimally protected from strokes and heart attacks.'
Currently, there are almost 10 million people in the UK with high blood pressure and effective treatment is known to substantially reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Bryan Williams of the British Hypertension Society said: 'This study is important and the findings could change the way we approach the treatment of high blood pressure.'
