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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 15, 2014 12:55 PM IST
A new research has revealed that an injection of a new experimental drug might be able to reduce heart attacks risks by decreasing cholesterol levels up to 75 per cent when combined with statin. The findings showed that the drug evolocumab played a crucial role in lowering "bad" cholesterol levels, which is the main cause of maximum heart risks when given with the usual dose of statin, the Daily Express reported. When the injection of drug is given, every two weeks or monthly, it blocks the substance which obstructs the liver's ability to eliminate cholesterol from the blood.
Julie Ward of the British Heart Foundation said that although the treatment is proving its worth, other factors like quite smoking, eating healthy and moderate exercising also play a vital role in curbing the health risks. However, the report notified that further comprehensive research on the drug is still required for security and to determine the long term results. The study results were published in Jama, the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Read: 8 common heart disease symptoms and warning signs)
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack also referred to as a myocardial infarction (MI), coronary thrombosis or coronary occlusion. It usually occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked suddenly due to complete blockage of the artery supplying blood to the heart. This causes the heart muscle cells to die. The blockage of artery is often caused by plaque formation (deposition and hardening of fatty substances and cholesterol on the walls of arteries) resulting in coronary heart disease (CHD). If left untreated it can be fatal. Some of the symptoms of heart attack include feeling a tight band around the chest, shooting pain up and down the left side of your body,anxiety, cough, fainting, heavy pressure, palpitations, shortness of breath and sweating. Most people tend to ignore the initial symptoms of heart attack which causes greater damage to the heart. If you have thesewarning signs of heart attack, you should call your local emergency number right away. (Read: Heart attack symptoms everyone should know)
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