If you’ve undergone a heart procedure like PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), you’re likely on medications to protect your heart. A recent study suggests that a mix of a moderate-dose statin with a drug called ezetimibe might actually be a better choice for some patients than taking a high-dose statin alone.
High-dose statins are often prescribed to reduce the risk of future heart issues, but they can come with some downsides. While they do lower cholesterol significantly, they may cause unwanted side effects, including muscle pain and a higher chance of developing diabetes. For some people, these side effects make it harder to stick with their medication plan in the long run.
Now, this new approach – combining a moderate-dose statin with ezetimibe – offers a middle ground. The moderate statin dose still helps lower cholesterol, but because it’s combined with ezetimibe, you get an added boost. Ezetimibe works by blocking cholesterol absorption in the gut, meaning both drugs work together to lower cholesterol effectively without needing a high statin dose.
By going with this combination, you may experience fewer side effects, like muscle pain, and face a lower risk of developing diabetes. Plus, because it’s easier on the body, patients may be more likely to stick with this regimen, which is key to long-term heart health.
In short, for some people who’ve had PCI, this balanced approach offers effective heart protection with fewer risks, helping make medication routines safer and easier to maintain.
Source: cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12933-024-02498-3
