AIIMS doctor’s big revelation on cholesterol! Know the right way to keep your heart safe

PCSK9 Inhibitor Oral Tablet For Cholesterol: Till now, statin drugs have been considered the most effective treatment to control bad cholesterol, however, these drugs do not work equally for every patient. Especially people who are at high risk of heart attack or other heart diseases, they need additional medicines. Till now, expensive injections were the only option for such patients, but now a new pill has emerged as a ray of hope.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new medicine named Lipphendra. This is a tablet to be taken once daily, which can help in reducing the level of bad cholesterol in the body by 50 to 60 percent. This medicine belongs to the PCSK9 inhibitor class, which works differently from statins.

PCSK9 blocks protein

While statins slow down the process of cholesterol formation in the liver, Lipphendra blocks the PCSK9 protein present in the body. This protein normally destroys bad cholesterol receptors. When it stops, the liver starts removing more bad cholesterol from the blood, due to which the level of bad cholesterol decreases rapidly. This medicine is considered especially beneficial for those people who have previously suffered a heart attack, had to undergo angioplasty or stenting or who have coronary artery disease. Apart from this, people who have high bad cholesterol or who have a family history of heart disease at an early age can also benefit from it.

Accumulating fat increases the risk of heart disease

According to Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor, Department of Cardiology, Delhi AIIMS, Lipphendra not only reduces LDL, but also reduces the protein called ApoB by about 50 percent. ApoB measures the number of particles that increase the risk of heart disease by depositing fat in the arteries. Its level is found higher in Indians than in western countries, hence its deficiency is considered critical.

Read this also: Children fall ill quickly during monsoon season, how should we take care of their health?

However, experts say that statin drugs will still remain the first choice of treatment, because they are cheap and their effectiveness has been proven for many years. This new pill may become a better option for patients for whom statins do not work or cause bad effects. At present this medicine has been approved on the basis of reducing LDL. Studies are still going on as to how much it reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What is necessary to do regarding this?

Experts recommend that every person between the age of 18 to 29 years should check their cholesterol at least once. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or heart disease in the family should get regular checkups done as per the doctor’s advice. Along with medicines, balanced diet, regular exercise and abstinence from smoking are also very important for a healthy heart.

Read this also: Monsoon Health Care Tips: Children fall ill quickly during monsoon season, how to take care of their health?

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator