A new study suggests that combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs could dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent thousands of deaths each year. The research, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, highlights the effectiveness of using a statin alongside ezetimibe in patients at high risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in the blood, plays a key role in the body’s ability to build healthy cells. However, when levels become too high, cholesterol can contribute to the formation of fatty deposits in blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of heart disease. Factors such as diet and lack of exercise are major contributors to high cholesterol levels, making lifestyle changes an essential part of managing the condition.
For those whose cholesterol levels remain high despite lifestyle adjustments, medications such as statins are commonly prescribed. Statins work by reducing cholesterol production in the liver, while ezetimibe prevents cholesterol absorption in the gut, especially when statins alone fail to lower cholesterol levels sufficiently.
In the study, researchers analyzed data from over 108,000 patients who were either at high risk for cardiovascular events or had already experienced one, such as a heart attack or stroke. The combination of statins and ezetimibe was found to be significantly more effective at lowering “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C) and reducing mortality rates compared to statin therapy alone.
Key findings from the study include:
A 19% reduction in overall risk of death for patients receiving both drugs.
A 16% reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths.
A nearly 20% decrease in major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, compared to those taking high-dose statins alone.
These results are particularly important as cardiovascular disease claims approximately 18 million lives annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Lead author of the study, Professor Maciej Banach, a cardiologist at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin in Poland, suggested that widespread adoption of this combination therapy could prevent over 330,000 deaths each year among patients who have previously suffered a heart attack.
In addition to lowering LDL-C levels, the combination therapy increased the likelihood of achieving the ideal cholesterol target of under 70 mg/dL by 85%.
Traditionally, doctors have prescribed statins first, followed by ezetimibe if cholesterol levels remain high. However, the study’s findings advocate for a more proactive approach. The authors recommend starting both drugs immediately for high-risk patients.
Professor Peter Toth, co-author of the study, emphasized the need for this combination therapy to become the standard practice for treating high-risk patients following a cardiovascular event. He also noted that this approach could lead to cost savings for healthcare systems by preventing the long-term complications of poorly managed cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers hope that the new evidence will encourage a shift in treatment guidelines. With statins and ezetimibe widely available, they urge doctors to implement the combination therapy early to reduce the risk of further complications and deaths in high-risk patients.
“Our findings underscore the importance of early intervention,” said Toth. “The earlier we start treatment, the better the outcomes for patients at high risk of cardiovascular conditions.”
Related Topics
