In the United States, about one in three adults have high cholesterol and about 25% of adults over 40 years old take a statin to lower their cholesterol. One study has shown a new drug dramatically lowers cholesterol even more than statins alone.
New Drug Dramatically Lowers Cholesterol
Statins work to help lower cholesterol, as well as the risks of strokes, heart attack, and death. While they do work, some may still not have their cholesterol as low as it needs to be to be clear of health risks.
A new drug dramatically lowers cholesterol in conjunction with statin medications. The medication is called Repatha and is taken by injection one to two times a month.
When taken with a statin, Repatha can decrease LDL (bad cholesterol) levels drastically. Cardiologist Dr. Steve Nissen said, “To a level that has not really been achieved in any substantial clinical trial.”
For one study, researchers divided 968 patients into one group of people who took Repatha and a statin and one group that took only statins for 18 months.
After the year and a half, the participants who took only statins had an average LDL level of 93. The group that took statins and Repatha had an average LDL of 36–the lowest LDL level observed in a clinical study.
Another outstanding result of the study was that while the statin-only group showed no decrease in the amount of plaque in their arteries, 64% of those in the group who took both medications showed a decrease in arterial plaque. The patients that began with the lowest LDL levels experienced the biggest improvements.
One Repatha user, Carol Hrvatin, had a heart attack from high cholesterol several years before starting Repatha. Since taking Repatha along with her statin, her LDL levels have gone from 137 to 65.
The recommended LDL levels should be 70 or less, but with this study, recommendations may get lowered. So far, there is no evidence of negative side-effects from having extremely low cholesterol levels.
Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Taking statins and other medications like Repatha can be necessary to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease or heart attack. However, it’s also possible to lower cholesterol through diet and exercise.
Supplements like L-Arginine Plus can also help you to be heart healthy in a natural and effective way.
Eating foods low in fat and cholesterol can help you to stay heart healthy. Foods like whole grains, vegetables, and lean meat are full of healthy nutrients.
Read More About How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Exercising at least 30 minutes a day can also help to raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels and lower LDL levels. Regular exercise can also help to reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.
Resources
http://www.click2houston.com/health/new-drug-shows-promise-for-people-with-high-cholesterol