Cholesterol is a vital substance in our bodies, playing a key role in cell function and hormone production. However, too much cholesterol can cause problems.
Excessive cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol,” can build up in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The body relies on hormones to regulate how fats and proteins circulate, ensuring a balance. But when this balance tips, high cholesterol levels can become dangerous.
Statins: The Standard Treatment
For decades, statins have been the go-to medication for controlling high cholesterol. They work by reducing the liver’s ability to produce cholesterol, effectively lowering LDL levels. While statins have helped millions, they’re not suitable for everyone.
Some people experience side effects like muscle and joint pain, making it difficult to continue using them. Others find that statins alone aren’t enough to lower their cholesterol to safe levels.
Bempedoic Acid: A New Option
For those who can’t tolerate statins or need additional help managing cholesterol, a new drug, bempedoic acid, offers hope. Recent research suggests it can significantly lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart problems, making it a promising alternative to statins.
Supported by Esperion Therapeutics, the makers of bempedoic acid, a study called the CLEAR Outcomes Trial was presented at the ENDO 2023 meeting in Chicago. This study focused on patients unable to take statins.
The results showed that bempedoic acid reduced LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 21% and lowered the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 13%.
What’s more, further analysis confirmed that the benefits of bempedoic acid were comparable to those seen with statins when it came to reducing major heart problems. This means that bempedoic acid could offer similar protection for the heart, even though it works differently from statins.
Why It Matters
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are the leading causes of death worldwide. Dr. A. Michael Lincoff, Vice Chair for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of finding new treatments for high cholesterol.
He noted that bempedoic acid provides an effective alternative for patients who can’t use statins or need additional cholesterol-lowering options.
This development is particularly exciting because it demonstrates that different types of cholesterol-lowering drugs can offer similar heart-health benefits.
This isn’t always the case in other areas of medicine; for example, diabetes medications often have varied effects on heart health even when they improve blood sugar levels similarly.
A Step Toward Better Heart Health
Bempedoic acid represents a significant advancement in managing cholesterol and reducing the risks associated with high cholesterol. For people who can’t tolerate statins or need extra help, it offers a safe and effective solution. This could mean a more inclusive approach to managing heart health, potentially saving millions of lives.
As researchers continue to explore innovative treatments, breakthroughs like bempedoic acid highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to tackle cardiovascular diseases. With new options, we can look forward to better outcomes for those at risk of heart problems and a healthier future for everyone.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer, and results showing strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
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