Drugs combo helps statins slash strokes
TAKING a combination of cholesterol drugs after “first line” statin treatment could slash the number of strokes and heart attacks, research has found.
Scientists found that while many patients are able to reduce their risk through taking statins, those at the highest risk of cardiovascular “events” – such as a heart attack or stroke – may benefit from combinations of lipid-lowering therapies.
Researchers say although statins are “first line treatment”, when used alone they will not help the majority of patients achieve their cholesterol goals.
Lead study author Professor Kausik Ray, of Imperial College London, said: “Only one in five very high-risk patients achieve 2019 recommended goals and to improve this will require use of combination therapy of more than one drug.
“After diet and lifestyle, cholesterol lowering with medications is a key approach to lowering risk of heart disease and strokes.
“Based on trial data we have compelling evidence that lower cholesterol levels benefit those at highest risk particularly.”
The research shows a gap between current clinical guidelines and clinical practice for cholesterol management across Europe.
The researchers explained that even among patients who are already receiving optimal doses of statins, greater use of other non-statin cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors, could further reduce cholesterol levels and improve the prospects of those most at risk. The findings, from a study of 5,888 patients in 18 European countries, including the UK, are due to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology.