Affordable Drug Combo May Lower Risk of Second Heart Attack or Stroke
🫀 And Why It Matters to Oral-Systemic Health
New research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (April 2025) reveals that adding ezetimibe, an affordable cholesterol-lowering drug, to statin therapy shortly after a heart attack may significantly improve outcomes.
In a study of more than 35,000 Swedish patients hospitalized for heart attacks between 2015–2022, early use of ezetimibe (within 12 weeks of discharge) was associated with a lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)—including death, recurrent heart attacks, and strokes—compared to those who delayed or skipped the drug.
💡 Why It Works:
Ezetimibe blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. This complements statins, which reduce cholesterol production in the liver. Many post-heart attack patients don’t reach cholesterol targets with statins alone—this dual approach may help bridge that gap.
⚕️ What This Means for Dental Professionals
You may wonder: How does this relate to dentistry? The connection lies in oral-systemic health. Elevated LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease are closely linked with chronic inflammation, a key factor in periodontal diseaseand poor wound healing post-treatment.
Incorporating a patient’s cardiovascular risk factors—including cholesterol-lowering medications—into your medical history intake allows for better risk assessment and personalized dental care.
✅ Takeaways for Dental Teams:
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Ask patients about statin or cholesterol-lowering drug use.
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Recognize cardiovascular history as a marker for increased oral health risk.
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Educate patients on the heart–mouth connection.
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Encourage interdisciplinary care and communication with their physicians.
