Combination Therapy Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Significantly

A new study indicates that combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs, a statin and ezetimibe, could significantly reduce cardiovascular risks and save nearly 50,000 lives annually in the U.S. The analysis of over 108,000 patients revealed a 19% reduction in the risk of early death and an 18% decrease in major cardiovascular events when using this combination therapy compared to statins alone. This approach also resulted in a notable drop in 'bad' cholesterol levels, helping 85% of patients achieve the recommended LDL goal. Experts assert that this therapy should become the standard treatment for patients at high risk of heart attacks or strokes. The findings, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, challenge previous treatment protocols that suggested waiting to assess statin effectiveness before introducing ezetimibe. Researchers emphasize that this safe, low-cost strategy does not increase side effects, making it a compelling option for improving cardiovascular health worldwide.