Bempedoic acid reduces heart attack risk in statin-intolerant patients.

A new study has found that bempedoic acid, a statin alternative, can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by lowering LDL cholesterol levels in people at high risk who haven't had a heart attack or stroke. However, researchers caution that bempedoic acid should not be used instead of statins, which have a longer track record of safety and effectiveness. The study suggests that for people who can't tolerate statins or a high enough dose to bring their cholesterol levels down adequately, bempedoic acid can be at least part of the solution.