Cardiovascular diseases are the number one women killer (nederlandse hartstichting). With men it is the second. Wouldn’t we like to prevent or postpone cardiovascular diseases? The polypill might be the solution. The polypill contains 5 different types in a small doses. So it not meant as medicine but to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Should all 55+ who have a chance of getting a cardiovascular diseases take the polypill?
The polypill contains statin simvastatin. This drug lowers the cholesterol- and triglycerides level. Excess calories are converted into triglycerides, transported through the blood and stored within the fat cells. The triglycerides give you energy in between meals. Cholesterol is a fatty substance which we need for making cells, hormones and bile. We produce cholesterol in the liver as well from eating unhealthy food. The statin simvastatin decreases the production of cholesterol and decreases the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. As a consequence the blood will flow better through your arteries.
The second drug of the five is aspirin. Aspirin is good for relieving pain. Besides that “Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent”(Layton). When a lot of platelet clump together they make a clot. Platelets are little cells that stop bleeding. To stop bleeding they stick together. The hormone called prostaglandins is not only responsible for pain but also glues the platelets together. Aspirin fights prostaglandins and prevent the platelets of forming a clot.
The third drug is a diuretic drug. A diuretic function is to make you pee more. If you urine more, your body removes extra fluid and sodium. The result is that your blood pressure will drop.
The fourth drug is an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitor stands for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor. Angiotensin II is a chemical in your body that is converted from Angiotensin I by an enzyme. Enzymes are protein molecules in our body that speed up chemical reaction in cells....