New cholesterol drugs could save tens of thousands of lives every year in Italy alone. More than a third of adult Italians have high LDL cholesterol values, which is considered bad. It is estimated that many of them do not know this, because they are not in the habit of doing simple blood tests, which allow their detection. Here you will find the guide to interpreting blood tests and cholesterol values.
Cardiovascular disease remains the most dangerous killer in the West
High cholesterol raises the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death. In Italy alone, more than 220,000 people lose their lives from these pathologies. Nearly 50,000 of these deaths are due to high cholesterol levels. The problem, as we said, is that many do not know they have these values. The Covid pandemic only makes the situation worse.
Are there any symptoms for high cholesterol?
Many people have chosen not to undergo routine tests in clinics and hospitals. Another problem relates to the symptoms. As long as blood cholesterol levels are not very high, there are no major manifestations. Therefore, you can only detect high cholesterol from routine tests. It is useful to remember that those suffering from high cholesterol must undergo tests at least once a year. The others at least once every two. Only when cholesterol gets really high can symptoms like:
- difficulty digesting particularly fatty foods,
- numbness of hands and feet,
- vision problems,
- skin spots,
- tiredness and motor difficulties.
New cholesterol drugs: the two molecules will be available as early as 2021
Two new molecules were presented during the congress of the Italian Society of Cardiology. The first exploits the action of small interfering RNAs halves Ldl cholesterol levels with just two subcutaneous injections a year. In addition, it does not appear to have any side effects on the liver and kidneys. The second molecule instead is represented bybempedoic acid, capable of reducing LDL by 20%. Also in this case there were no side effects. Studies certifying its efficacy and safety have been published in New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world. Both drugs will arrive in 2021.
New cholesterol drugs: expert opinion
“The reduction of blood cholesterol levels in high-risk patients is an important public health goal that in the future could reduce mortality from cardiovascular events, saving 10,000 lives”, explain Ciro Indolfi, Sic president, and Pasquale Perrone Filardi, Sic president-elect. “Cholesterol represents one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors, responsible for 47,000 deaths a year with health costs that reach 16 billion euros for direct and indirect costs. Keeping the bad cholesterol level lower reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke and the consequent mortality », comments Indolfi. For Perrone Filardi, “more than one million Italians are at very high risk of cardiovascular events, of which only 20% reach the objectives recommended by international guidelines which have lowered the reference values below 55 mg / dl”.
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