Millions of people take statins to reduce the risk of potentially fatal complications of high cholesterol, but they can come with unwanted side effects.< /b>
A high level of cholesterol means that you have too much of this substance. This can be dangerous as over time it can lead to deposits in the blood vessels.
If left untreated, it can lead to a number of dangerous medical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. One of the most common treatments for high cholesterol are statins, a group of drugs that lower blood levels of so-called “bad” cholesterol.
While these drugs are usually effective, they can come with unpleasant side effects, such as chest pain. muscles and joints and stomach problems.
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Now scientists think they've discovered a new pill that's just as effective at lowering cholesterol as statins. A drug called bepedoic acid could be an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate popular drugs.
“The results indicate that bempedoic acid may be a valuable therapy for patients who cannot tolerate adequate doses of statins or who need to further lower their LDL cholesterol levels,” cardiologist Oleg Varfolomeev says to MedicForum.<
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As part of the study, the team analyzed data from the CLEAR Outcomes study, which included 13,970 patients with statin intolerance.
“Key results showed that bempedoic acid lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by an average of 21 percent.”
It also reduced cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke and procedures to open blocked blood vessels to the heart, by 13 percent.
“The drug works by blocking a key enzyme in the body called ATP -citrate, which is used to make cholesterol.”
MedicalForum has previously written about the benefits of beer for the heart.
Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.