Doctors make life saving discovery for patients
with coronary disease
By: News
Canada
(NC)—Cardiovascular disease remains the leading killer in Canada. In fact,
one in five of all deaths each year are from coronary artery disease, the
most common manifestation of heart disease. Despite medical advances, far
too many men and women continue to die prematurely from this deadly disease.
Many people may know they have coronary disease yet feel quite well until
suddenly they are struck down by a heart attack. New treatment strategies
are badly needed.
Common heart pill enhances survival hopes
An important international heart study published in the prestigious medical
journal The Lancet, showed that patients with coronary artery disease who add
the safe and inexpensive blood pressure drug perindopril (Coversyl®) to their
existing treatment can significantly reduce their risk of heart attacks and
heart related deaths. In fact, perindopril (Coversyl®) reduced the risk of heart
attacks and death by 20 per cent even in patients considered relatively low
risk. "This is a major step forward and will have important implications in the
future management of coronary disease" said Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of
Clinical Research, Associate Professor of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute.
"For the first time we have a drug that not only treats hypertension (high blood
pressure), but also improves the outcome of patients with coronary disease."
Researchers estimated that the addition of perindopril could prevent 50,000
heart attacks and deaths in Canada over the next four years. The doctors
concluded that, "treatment with perindopril, on top of other preventive
medications should be considered in all patients with coronary heart disease."
