"A pill that combines three blood pressurelowering drugs improves peoples chances of lowering their high blood pressure researchers report. The pill contains low doses of the three medications  telmisartan amlodipine and chlorthalidone. The finding stems from a study of  people who averaged  years old. All had high blood pressure.  Among those who took the socalled triple pill for six months  percent had achieved their blood pressure targets compared with  percent of those who received their usual care. Usual care meant taking whatever blood pressure medicine their doctor prescribed. The rate of side effects was no greater among those who took the threeinone pill than among the usual care group. Based on our findings we conclude that this new method of using blood pressurelowering drugs was more effective and just as safe as current approaches lead author Ruth Webster said in a news release from the American College of Cardiology. Shes a researcher with the George Institute for Global Health at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia. The study was presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Orlando Fla. The findings should be considered preliminary because research presented at meetings has not undergone the rigorous scrutiny given to research published in medical journals. The most urgent need for innovative strategies to control blood pressure is in low and middleincome countries Webster said. The triple pill approach is an opportunity to leapfrog over traditional approaches to care and adopt an innovative approach that has been shown to be effective. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack stroke and kidney problems. A control rate of  percent would be a considerable improvement even in highincome settings Webster said. Most hypertension guidelines in these countries do not recommend combination bloodpressurelowering therapy for initial treatment in all people. The findings she said should prompt reconsideration of recommendations around the use of combination therapy. More information The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more on high blood pressure medications https SOURCE American College of Cardiology news release March"