Combination of two cheap drugs could save lives after heart attack, study finds | Medical research

The study indicates that thousands of heart attacks or strokes can be prevented and saved with a group of two cheap drugs.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death all over the world, with the most common heart attacks. For those who survived the attack, another danger is the highest in the first year because the blood vessels are more sensitive, which facilitates blood clots.

Researchers in London Empire College Lund University in Sweden found that by giving patients with a heart attack together-statins and ezetimibe, a drug to reduce cholesterol-the risk of another heart attack, a blow, or death was reduced.

“This study shows that we can save lives and reduce more heart attacks by giving patients a mixture of low -cost drugs,” said Professor Kossic Rai, from the Imperial College of Public Health.

“But at the present time, patients all over the world do not receive these medications together. This causes unnecessary heart attacks and can be avoided – and also puts unnecessary costs on health care systems.

“Our study shows the way forward. Care paths must now change for patients after this type of heart event.”

The researchers analyzed the patient’s data to measure the potential effect of the double group of medicines.

They compared patients who received statin and Ezetimibe within 12 weeks of a heart attack, and those who gave statin with Ezetimibe added between 13 weeks and 16 months, and others who got statin with no ezetimibe at all.

Data from 36,000 Swedish patients who had a heart attack were analyzed between 2015 and 2022, and advanced statistical models were used to simulate a clinical trial.

Those who received statin and Ezetimibe within 12 weeks of a heart attack and were able to lower cholesterol to an early target level, had a better and less dangerous diagnosis of the new cardiovascular events than those who later received additional treatment, or not at all, according to the study.

“The results we have found indicate that the simple change in treatment instructions can have a significant effect on patients,” said Ray.

“Ezetimibe is widely available and cuts it at a relatively low cost. This additional treatment can be released for about 350 pounds annually for each patient, which is a large cost savings compared to the permanent effects of the treatment of heart attacks and the effect they have on patients’ lives. “

Margaret Lyodotur, a co -professor at Lund University and a chief cardiologist at the Skin University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden, said that she hopes the results will lead to changes in global guidelines, in order to “prevent unnecessary suffering and rescue.”

Leosdottir said that the complex therapy has not been presented to patients with heart attack worldwide because a “precautionary principle” has been applied to avoid side effects and excessive excess.

“However, there are positive effects from the application of both medications shortly after the infarction [heart attack] As much as possible. Not doing this requires increased risk. In addition, the drug we examined in the study causes few side effects and is easily available and inexpensive in many countries. “