Heart disease and stroke are major causes of death and disability worldwide and are largely
preventable. Cholesterol and blood pressure are major cardiovascular risk factors. Previous
studies have shown that certain drugs can effectively and safely lower cholesterol and blood
pressure and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Such studies have been conducted primarily in
people who had already sustained a heart attack or a stroke, or in people with high
cholesterol and blood pressure levels. However, most heart attacks and strokes occur in
people with average ("normal") cholesterol and blood pressure. Therefore, in the HOPE-3 trial
the investigators will evaluate whether a cholesterol lowering drug, rosuvastatin, and a
combination blood pressure lowering pill, candesartan/hydrochlorothiazide, used alone or
together can reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke and their sequelae in people without
known heart disease and at average risk.