High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Millions of people around the world have high cholesterol, yet many do not know it because it usually causes no symptoms.
Over time, however, excess cholesterol can quietly build up inside the arteries. As these fatty deposits grow, the arteries become narrower and less flexible, making it harder for blood to reach the heart and brain.
If a blood vessel becomes blocked, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Because heart disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, finding safe and effective ways to lower cholesterol is a major public health priority.
Cholesterol itself is not harmful. In fact, the body needs it to build healthy cells, make hormones, produce vitamin D, and help digest food. The problem occurs when there is too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
LDL carries cholesterol through the bloodstream, and excess amounts can stick to artery walls. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol, helps carry excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be removed from the body.
For many years, statins have been the most common medicines used to lower LDL cholesterol. These drugs reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and have been proven to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and early death. Although statins work very well for many people, they are not suitable for everyone.
Some patients develop muscle pain, joint aches, or other side effects that make it difficult to continue taking them. Others cannot lower their cholesterol enough even with the highest recommended doses.
Researchers have now been studying a newer medicine called bempedoic acid, which may provide another option. Unlike statins, bempedoic acid works mainly inside the liver, where cholesterol is produced. Because it is not activated in muscle tissue, it may cause fewer muscle-related side effects, making it especially useful for people who cannot tolerate statins.
A large study known as the CLEAR Outcomes Trial has produced encouraging results. The findings were presented at a major meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago.
The study included people who were unable to take statins because of side effects or other medical reasons. Researchers found that bempedoic acid lowered LDL cholesterol by about 21%. Even more importantly, it reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, by 13%.
The scientists wanted to know whether lowering cholesterol with bempedoic acid would protect the heart as effectively as lowering cholesterol with statins. Their analysis showed that for every reduction in LDL cholesterol, the decrease in heart disease risk was very similar to that seen with statin therapy.
This suggests that the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol remain strong regardless of which medicine is used, provided the cholesterol level is reduced enough.
The study was led by Dr. A. Michael Lincoff from the Cleveland Clinic. He said that having another effective cholesterol-lowering medicine is important because many patients still need additional treatment to reduce their cardiovascular risk. Bempedoic acid gives doctors another tool to help protect people from serious heart disease.
Although the results are encouraging, bempedoic acid is not intended to replace healthy lifestyle habits.
Eating a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and controlling blood pressure and diabetes all remain essential parts of protecting heart health. Medicines work best when combined with these healthy daily habits.
If you have high cholesterol and have experienced side effects from statins, or if your cholesterol remains high despite treatment, it may be worth discussing bempedoic acid with your doctor. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether it is appropriate for your individual health needs.
This research shows that medical science continues to develop new ways to prevent heart disease. By providing an effective alternative for people who cannot take statins, bempedoic acid could help many more people lower their cholesterol, reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes, and live longer, healthier lives.
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