Grant: Operating Grant: Industry-partnered Collaborative Research

Heart attacks, stroke, cancers and osteoporotic fractures are the most common causes of death and disabilities in Canada and in many developing countries. Risk factors such as high blood pressures and high cholesterol, in addition to smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes and improper diets, are common in our population in Canada and in other countries. In order to reduce this burden of heart attacks and stroke, different strategies are needed. Simple inexpensive treatments are required to prevent cancers and fractures in our aging populations. In this study we propose to evaluate the effects of a single pill containing 3 blood pressure lowering medications and a cholesterol lowering medication in order to treat the blood pressure and high cholesterol, the two most important risk factors, in people before they suffer from a heart attack or stroke. In addition, we will also assess the effects of a low dose aspirin which is believed to have effects in reducing heart attacks, stroke and cancer, and vitamin D in its effects in reducing fractures, cancer and other chronic health conditions. This study, which will be carried out in 7500 people from Canada and several other countries in Asia, South America and Africa, where many recent Canadians come from, is expected to have a big impact on prevention heart attacks, strokes, fractures and cancers, which are the most common chronic health conditions affecting our aging population.