One-a-day heart attack and stroke pill

AN international human trial of a one-a-day pill that could cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes begins today, as Irish research reveals that a third of people with high blood pressure forget to take their tablets.

Patients with high blood pressure take around four tablets a day because they are often being treated for other conditions. One in three said they frequently or occasionally forgot to take their medication.

The Irish Heart Foundation said the new research published yesterday, World Hypertension Day, might explain why 70% of patients on medication for blood pressure do not have the condition adequately controlled.