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Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is present in every cell of our body. While it is essential for many functions, having too much of it can be dangerous. High cholesterol can lead to fat buildup in the arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In our bodies, hormones act as chemical messengers to regulate how fats and proteins are used and stored. When cholesterol levels become too high, doctors often prescribe statins to help lower cholesterol levels.
Statins: a common treatment with limitations
Statins work by limiting the amount of cholesterol the liver produces. This mainly reduces LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol. Statins are widely used and have helped many people lower their cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart problems.
However, not everyone can tolerate statins. Some patients experience muscle and joint pain, making these medications difficult to take. In addition, statins alone may not be enough for people who need to lower their cholesterol levels even further.
Bempedoic acid: a new hope
For those who can’t tolerate statins or need an extra cholesterol-lowering boost, a new drug called bempedoic acid may be the answer. This drug has shown promising results in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, similar to the benefits seen with statins.
Bempedoic acid was developed by Esperion Therapeutics and presented at a major medical conference, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, ENDO 2023, held in Chicago.
Researchers conducted a study called the CLEAR Outcomes Trial to evaluate this new drug in people who could not tolerate statins.
The first results were encouraging. Bempedoic acid was found to lower LDL cholesterol by an average of 21%. It also reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 13%.
Initially, it was not clear whether the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol with bempedoic acid would be as effective in reducing cardiovascular risk as lowering it with statins.
However, a deeper analysis confirmed that those who took bempedoic acid had a lower risk of serious heart problems than those who received a placebo. This reduced risk was similar to results seen in people taking statins.
A global perspective on cardiovascular health
Dr. A. Michael Lincoff, MD, one of the study’s authors and vice chairman for research at the Cleveland Clinic’s Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, emphasized the global significance of these findings.
He pointed out that heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
Dr. Lincoff emphasized that medications like bempedoic acid are crucial because they provide a new option for people who cannot take enough statins or need more help lowering their cholesterol.
He says this development shows that different classes of cholesterol-lowering drugs can have similar benefits for heart health, unlike some diabetes drugs, which can have varying effects on heart health even if they keep blood sugar levels well under control.
Looking ahead: a new tool for managing cholesterol
The arrival of bempedoic acid could be a big step forward for people struggling with high cholesterol levels. For those who cannot tolerate statins or need to lower their cholesterol further, this new drug offers a promising alternative.
The development of bempedoic acid underlines the importance of ongoing research into better ways to combat heart disease. Heart disease remains a major global health problem, and discovering new treatments is critical to helping more people stay healthy and live longer.
Overall, bempedoic acid is a hopeful new addition to the world of cholesterol-lowering medications. It shows that with innovation and research there are new ways to tackle health problems and bring solutions to more people.
By giving patients another option to control their cholesterol, scientists are paving the way for better heart health and a brighter future for people at risk for cardiovascular disease.
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