Is A Cure for Heart Disease Near On the Horizon?
Excitement abounded at the American Heart Association annual conference Held in Philadelphia as whispers were heard among typically cautious cardiologists last week. The reason? A series of groundbreaking scientific revelations, many of which will significantly impact millions of patients worldwide. Of particular note are a collection of pioneering treatments that ‘rewrite’ DNA, potentially halting the body’s production of damaging cholesterol and reducing high blood pressure – two primary risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
Introducing these treatments surely heralds a new era in the medical field, with respect to how cardiovascular diseases are treated. However, there are uncertainties about side effects, leaving the future of these treatments unknown. They are likely to be cautiously implemented and reserved for those who are in dire need of them. If successful, these drugs have the potential to eliminate the need for daily tablets, such as statins and beta blockers, taken by millions to lower their risks of heart disease.
The technology exploring entirely new therapeutic strategies, new molecules, and new mechanisms has impressed Professor Karol Watson, a Los Angeles-based cardiologist, who stated, ‘I cannot emphasize enough how revolutionary these [therapies] are. We are delving into uncharted territory.’
One life that could be changed is that of John-Paul Corry, a 47-year-old father-of-three who has elevated levels of Lp(a) – a form of cholesterol that significantly increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. He currently undergoes a six-hour round trip every two weeks to the nearest hospital for a procedure called apheresis, which ‘cleans’ cholesterol from the blood. But the new drug, lepodisiran, offers him hope. The once high-risk and laborious procedure might be a thing of the past if this new drug lives up to its promise.
The findings that emerged at the meeting about lepodisiran were indeed stunning. A single injection led to a 94% reduction in Lp(a) levels and even made it undetectable in some cases. These early findings have caused palpable excitement among researchers, with more drug treatments focused on reducing Lp(a) levels currently in the pipeline.
Another study showed that strict control of blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. So, staying hopeful, the future promises to slow down and potentially cure heart diseases. With the hope of new treatments and therapies aside, our overall well-being and healthiness seem to be heading in the right direction.
