A new study suggests that a combination of statins and ezetimibe, two affordable medications, could significantly lower the risk of future heart attacks, strokes, and death for patients recovering from a heart attack. The findings were part of a large study led by Imperial College London and Lund University in Sweden, offering hope for millions of heart disease patients worldwide.

Early Dual Therapy Offers Better Protection After Heart Attack

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and heart attack survivors face a particularly high risk of a second event within the first year. This period is critical because the blood vessels, already damaged by the initial heart attack, are more susceptible to forming blood clots.

The study, published by experts from Imperial College London and Lund University, analyzed data from 36,000 Swedish heart attack patients between 2015 and 2022. Researchers found that starting treatment with both statins and ezetimibe within 12 weeks of a heart attack offered significantly better protection compared to other treatment methods, such as using statins alone or waiting to combine the two drugs.

Prof. Kausik Ray, from Imperial’s School of Public Health, highlighted the importance of this discovery. “This study shows that we could save lives and prevent further heart attacks by using two affordable drugs together,” he said. “However, many patients worldwide are still not receiving this dual treatment early on, leading to avoidable complications, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality.”

The study’s findings suggest that giving patients statins and ezetimibe together shortly after a heart attack reduces the risk of a second heart attack or stroke and can even lower the likelihood of death. Additionally, patients who reached their cholesterol targets more quickly showed even better outcomes.

Affordable Treatment Could Save Healthcare Systems Billions

The study’s results demonstrate that early combination therapy with statins and ezetimibe could be a cost-effective approach. Ray pointed out that the two drugs are not only effective but also inexpensive, costing just £350 per patient per year, far less than the typical costs associated with post-heart attack treatments.

The dual drug approach offers an affordable way to prevent further cardiovascular issues, potentially saving millions in healthcare expenses globally. Statins, which lower cholesterol, and ezetimibe, which blocks the absorption of cholesterol from food, work together to reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood. This combined effect lowers the chance of future heart attacks and stroke, offering an opportunity for patients to live longer and healthier lives.

Global Guidelines Should Be Updated to Reflect New Findings

Margret Leosdottir, associate professor at Lund University and senior cardiology consultant at Skåne University Hospital, expressed hope that the study’s findings would lead to updates in international treatment guidelines. She emphasized that many clinicians are cautious about adding extra medications, fearing side effects or overmedication. This conservative approach has often led to patients not receiving ezetimibe soon enough after their heart attacks, missing out on its potential benefits.

“Despite concerns over side effects, the benefits of using both drugs early clearly outweigh the risks,” Leosdottir stated. “Ezetimibe is widely available, low-cost, and has very few side effects, making it an ideal option for patients in both developed and developing countries.”

Leosdottir also noted that many global guidelines still do not recommend early dual therapy, a delay that could be costing lives. “Offering the combination therapy sooner, rather than later, could drastically reduce suffering and save lives worldwide,” she concluded.

Experts Urge for Immediate Changes to Treatment Protocols

The results of the study suggest that a simple update to treatment guidelines could have a profound impact on public health. Health experts, including those involved in the study, are urging for a global shift in the way heart attack patients are treated.

In many countries, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, and improving heart attack recovery protocols could be a crucial step in addressing this ongoing public health crisis. The study’s recommendation for immediate combination therapy with statins and ezetimibe provides a low-cost, high-benefit option to reduce the likelihood of further heart issues and improve long-term patient outcomes.

The combination of statins and ezetimibe represents a promising, low-cost solution to a significant global health challenge. By introducing this dual therapy early in the treatment process, millions of lives could be saved, while also reducing the burden on healthcare systems around the world. As the study’s findings continue to be discussed in the medical community, experts remain hopeful that global health guidelines will soon be updated to reflect the benefits of this affordable treatmen