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Thousands of lives could be saved by combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs, study suggests
Medical Xpress / Polish Lipid Association / Mayo Clinic Proceedings ^ | March 23, 2025 | Maciej Banach, et al

Posted on 03/30/2025 7:18:10 AM PDT by ConservativeMind

The largest analysis to examine the best way to lower levels of "bad" cholesterol in patients with blocked arteries shows that they should immediately be given a combination of a statin and another drug called ezetimibe, rather than statins alone. This could prevent thousands of deaths a year from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.

The meta-analysis of 108,353 patients in 14 studies who were at very high risk of suffering heart attack or stroke, or who had already suffered one of these cardiovascular events shows that when ezetimibe was combined with a high dose statin to reduce levels of LDL-C, there was a significant 19% reduction in the risk of death from any cause, a 16% reduction in deaths from cardiovascular causes, and a significant reduction in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events or stroke by 18% and 17% respectively, compared to high doses of statins alone.

The combination therapy also significantly reduced LDL-C levels by an extra 13mg per deciliter (dL) of blood compared to statins alone, measured from the time the patient first started the treatment. This increased the chances of reaching the ideal goal of less than 70mg/dL of LDL-C by 85%.

"These results were even more pronounced in the network meta-analysis, which enables a direct comparison of different therapy regimens used in the study. This showed a 49% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 39% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, when compared to high-dose statin therapy alone," said Maciej Banach,

"The combination therapy is safe and efficacious; the risk of adverse events and the therapy discontinuation rate was comparable between groups. In the network meta-analysis, we showed a significant 44% reduction in the risk of discontinuation in those treated with moderately high-dose statin therapy plus ezetimibe versus a high-dose statin alone."

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: blockage; blockedarteries; ezetimibe; heart; ldl; plaque; statin; statins; stroke; zetia
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For blocked arteries, a statin coupled with ezetimibe (Zetia) reduced all cause death by 19%. Compared against other therapies, it showed a 49% reduction in all cause death.
1 posted on 03/30/2025 7:18:10 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 03/30/2025 7:19:04 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

i take zetia


3 posted on 03/30/2025 7:25:38 AM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (RINO going along to get along with)
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To: ConservativeMind

I’m on Ezetimide and Atorvastatin for what it’s worth.


4 posted on 03/30/2025 7:26:21 AM PDT by ComputerGuy ( )
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To: ConservativeMind

OR , , ,

folks could eat clean healthy food and exercise to avoid the problem altogether.

Nah. Don’t promote that idea.
Pharma gotta make Bank.

AND! Pay Off the Media with billions of Ad Dollars so they don’t criticize Big Pharma.


5 posted on 03/30/2025 7:27:41 AM PDT by Macoozie (Roll MAGA, roll!)
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To: ConservativeMind

2 comments: No, three
1) Any drug combo needs careful study. I am not critical, just watch out for the $age mix. E.g., inflammation treatment via chondroitin combined with glucosamine is mixed ‘cause The %age has to be right. If one test is with 90-10 its results cannot be compared with a 20-80 test. I use both and after waiting the necessary 4-6 months the improvement is staggering. I am without general arthritis pain.
2) A drug that can dissolve clogs needs very careful study. If it slowly stripes off the upper/exposed layer, fine. OTOHand, if the entire clog comes off you will stroke out.
3) I still maintain the Canadian study of years past is telling. It is not the clog that kills. It is the inflammation under the clog. That inflammation forces the vein/artery closed. The inflammation is because of bacteria infection under the clog. Anti-biotics have a tough time getting to them. The alternative is the starve the buggies of the iron they need to live. The iron is from iron-enriched food — like bread. Quit taking vitamins with iron and cut out iron enriched foods where you can. The swelling will stop.


6 posted on 03/30/2025 7:33:10 AM PDT by bobbo666
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To: ConservativeMind

Don’t do it. I was put on Zocor and Zetia which degraded the myelin sheath so badly that I couldn’t put two words together. I couldn’t get words out of my mouth. Fortunately I was able to figure out what was causing my problem and quit the med. My doctor got mad at me and I found another doctor. How many individuals being treated for Alzheimers had been taking statins?


7 posted on 03/30/2025 7:33:26 AM PDT by ryderann
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To: Macoozie

Not everyone is as perfect as yourself.


8 posted on 03/30/2025 7:35:52 AM PDT by READINABLUESTATE (‘Never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals’)
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To: ConservativeMind

I’ve been on a statin and ezetimibe for a couple of years now.

My last bloodwork had my HDL at 48, LDL at 60, Triglycerides at 107, and total Cholesterol at 129.

I had a stent put in in 2011, and so far so good...


9 posted on 03/30/2025 7:36:41 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /Sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: ryderann

I totally believe you. I had an aunt and and uncle who were put on statins and they both got Alzheimer’s. I wouldn’t take a statin for a million dollars. It’s all a big money scam.


10 posted on 03/30/2025 7:40:56 AM PDT by Chuck N
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To: ConservativeMind

I had 2, 100% and 2, 80% blockages, should I not have had a 4 way bypass and taken these drugs instead? I ask because when the Dr showed me my arteries on the screen he showed me how my blocked arteries had already made complimentary bypass arteries. In other words the arteries were re-routing themselves around the blockages. I wondered at the time, “why do I need surgery” if the arteries were regrowing themselves around the blockage.


11 posted on 03/30/2025 7:44:07 AM PDT by chuck allen
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To: ConservativeMind

Do your own research before taking any drug, please. E.g., Here’s an easy read on the “benefits” of statins: https://theconversation.com/benefits-of-statins-may-have-been-overstated-new-study-175557


12 posted on 03/30/2025 7:46:39 AM PDT by MikeyB806
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To: ConservativeMind

Do your own research before taking any drug, please. E.g., Here’s an easy read on the “benefits” of statins: https://theconversation.com/benefits-of-statins-may-have-been-overstated-new-study-175557


13 posted on 03/30/2025 7:46:58 AM PDT by MikeyB806
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To: bobbo666

Also, esp for men...give blood.


14 posted on 03/30/2025 7:47:25 AM PDT by goodnesswins (Democracy to Democrats is stealing other peoples money for their use, no matter how idiotic)
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To: ryderann
How many individuals being treated for Alzheimers had been taking statins?

We'll never know because brain washed doctors will never admit it. A friend of mine is losing his memory because of statins and he won't quit statins because the doctor has convinced him he will die immediately if he does.

15 posted on 03/30/2025 7:49:35 AM PDT by BipolarBob (After my drug test, they either said "Urine Trouble" or You're in trouble". )
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To: Macoozie

Is it cholesterol that has clogged arteries or plaque? Two different animals. We die without cholesterol. Also I take nattokinase to keep arteries clear. Moderate exercise and a good diet help. The golden ticket is genetics, if one has poor genetics, one can choose between Alzheimers and a early death.


16 posted on 03/30/2025 7:54:45 AM PDT by BipolarBob (After my drug test, they either said "Urine Trouble" or You're in trouble". )
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To: Yo-Yo
My last bloodwork had my HDL at 48, LDL at 60, Triglycerides at 107, and total Cholesterol at 129.

That's some great Kool Aid right there. But I know that you don't grasp that fact.

My last bloodwork (which has been consistent for 20 years):

HDL = 54, LDL = 282, Triglycerides = 188, and total Cholesterol = 372.

But yeah, go on supporting the criminal lipid hypothesis and big pharma's lies.

17 posted on 03/30/2025 8:09:53 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: chuck allen

A family member died with a 95+% artery blockage to the brain, according to the coroner.

There are natural ways to reduce and even eliminate such blockages, but it requires diligence and time and knowledge of the supplements and diets that all help.


18 posted on 03/30/2025 8:14:15 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ComputerGuy

Yep, Ezetimibe & Atorvastatin for me, too....


19 posted on 03/30/2025 8:16:05 AM PDT by freebilly
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To: freebilly

We’re living proof that the stuff works!


20 posted on 03/30/2025 8:23:58 AM PDT by ComputerGuy ( )
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