Company news: ONTARGET medical programme expected to offer new hope in fighting world's No. 1 killer

The results of this international scientific study known as ONTARGET, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and conducted in 41 countries including South Africa will soon be available.

Responsible for more than 16-million deaths worldwide each year, cardio-vascular disease (CVD) – including heart attacks and strokes – is an indiscriminate killer that is on the rise, and is second only to HIV/Aids as the leading cause of death for both men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Those most at risk include people who are genetically predisposed towards heart disease, are overweight, suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar and who smoke. One in every three women contract CVD in their lifetime; and considering that only one in eight women will contract breast cancer, this puts CVD into an alarming perspective.

“The ONTARGET study is about the end result, namely the best possible treatment for those affected by heart attacks, strokes, and other cardio-vascular events. For the young, it's about lifestyle changes, but for those affected it's about getting the best possible treatment,” says Professor James Ker, deputy dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Pretoria University. “We anticipate that the results of this trial will have a tremendous impact on medical practice.”

Sponsored by pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim with 31546 patients in 41 countries taking part, ONTARGET is the largest cardiovascular trial ever undertaken. It was designed to offer new hope to people suffering from CVD by aiming to prove that by combining two different agents – the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Micardis (telmisartan) and another agent, ramipril - cardiovascular-related death and disease in high risk patients can be dramatically reduced.

“Although countries such as the USA are seeing rates declining due to better treatment and improved lifestyles, as many as 80 % of CV disease cases now occur in low and middle income countries like South Africa,” says Professor Ker, adding that in so-called rural black communities, 19 % of women and 32 % of men fall into a very high risk category.

“In other words, they stand more than a 20 % chance of developing some form of CVD, be it a heart attack, a stroke, diabetes or circulation problems that can lead to gangrene,” he says. “In many of these communities, smoking is on the increase. Unhealthy changes in diet are also adding to these factors that are contributing to this hidden – but growing – epidemic.”

Professor Ker says that lifestyle changes that lead to altered nutrition and exercise patterns have placed many people at risk, especially those suffering from the five main risk factors, namely high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, those who smoke and are overweight.

“These are considered to be modifiable risk factors, and can be controlled through weight loss, regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, regular exercise and probably the most important, stopping smoking completely; even one cigarette is one too many,” he says. “But for those already at risk, the ONTARGET trial programme may show improved cardiovascular outcomes. It is anticipated that the results of this trial will have a tremendous impact on the way medicine is practiced, not just in South Africa but across the world.”

Enquiries:
Sue Taylor
Boehringer Ingelheim
(011) 348-2485