Pill for those on statins cuts heart attack risk

Extra drug to fight elevated blood fats in people with high cholesterol to be offered for the first time

ALMOST half a million people on statins will be given extra drugs to further cut the risk of heart attacks, following NHS guidance.

Around a third of people who are already on statins because of high cholesterol levels also have raised blood fats (triglycerides), which puts them in greater danger. The draft guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) means that for the first time many such patients will be offered tailored medication.

Studies show that icosapent ethyl, the first licenced treatment for the condition, can cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than a quarter.

NHS England estimates that between 25 per cent and 35 per cent of the eight million people in the UK taking statins have elevated levels of the blood fat.

Under the guidance, the new drug can be offered to around 425,000 people in this category as the recommendation in favour of the treatment, also called Vazkepa, and made by Amarin, will apply only to patients whose “bad” cholesterol levels (low-density lipopro- tein cholesterol) are controlled.

Until now, there have been no medicines for people at risk of cardiovascular events who have raised levels of triglycerides despite taking statins or other anti-cholesterol drugs.

Triglycerides are our main source of energy and are essential for good health. However, too much in your blood can indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also cause damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

Helen Knight, of Nice, said: “Icosapent ethyl is the first licenced treatment of its kind for people who are at risk of heart attacks and strokes despite well controlled LDL cholesterol because they have raised blood fats. And although lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can help to reduce their risk, these may not work for everyone.

“We have worked closely with the company to identify the population most likely to gain the greatest benefit from icosapent ethyl, striking a balance between effectiveness and the best use of public funding.”

Final guidance is expected next month, following a consultation with patients and professional groups.

Heart and circulatory disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK, causing one quarter of all deaths. Four million men and around 3.6 million women suffer from heart disease.

Icosapent ethyl, which is given twice daily, is thought to reduce very-lowdensity lipoprotein triglyceride synthesis and secretion in the liver and enhance triglyceride clearance. The drug costs the NHS around £1.20 a pill, while statins cost pennies.

The new guidance follows news that heart attack deaths soared by a fifth during the pandemic, according to a major review looking at the “global collateral damage” of Covid and lockdowns.

An analysis of nearly 200 studies by researchers from Leeds University found deaths among people hospitalised due to severe heart problems increased by 17 per cent in two years. Patients also waited for more than an hour longer than usual for cardiac and heart attack callouts between December 2019 and December 2021.

Globally, the number of heart operations carried out fell by 34 per cent. Many people kept away from GPS and hospitals or struggled to access services.

425,000

The number of people on statins and with raised blood fat levels who will be offered the new icosapent ethyl drug