Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the Polypill. The Polypill is being developed in response to an important reality surrounding cardiovascular disease. There are three important drugs that can help prevent heart disease (statins, ACE inhibitors, and aspirin). These drugs are not taken for two major reasons. First, the drugs are simply too expensive for much of the world, including countries as developed as Russia. And secondly, in developed nations where the drugs are affordable patients too often fail to comply - after three years 70% of patients do not take the medications as prescribed.

The implications for the overall health of the world's population and the associated costs are immense and ultimately will be beyond the ability of health infrastructures to support.
Though Dr. Fuster believes that the long-term solution lies in proper education about the importance of lifestyle changes, an immediate solution is a Polypill. The Polypill combines all three medications in one pill and that will cost as little as $1 a month,
Dr. Valentin Fuster is the former Presidents of the World Heart Federation and The American Heart Association. Dr. Fuster also serves Director of both The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute and The Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

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