A potent fish oil drug may protect high-risk patients against heart attacks
People on statins but still at risk for heart attack and stroke saw a benefit
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may one day gain a sidekick in the battle against heart disease. Taking a potent drug derived from fish oil along with a statin lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke in some high-risk people, researchers report.
A clinical trial called REDUCE-IT tested the approach in more than 8,000 participants who either had cardiovascular disease or were at high risk for it. These people were already on statins to lower their cholesterol, and also had high levels of fats called triglycerides in their blood. Elevated triglycerides can increase one’s risk of heart attack and stroke.