More on PCSK9 Inhibition to Dramatically Reduce Cholesterol Levels, Lowering the Risk of Later Cardiovascular Disease

There is good evidence for at least some methods of achieving dramatic reductions in blood cholesterol in humans to be safe and reduce the risk of age-related cardiovascular issues. To pick one of the underlying mechanisms involved in these benefits, the common age-related condition of atherosclerosis is at root caused by interactions between damaged cholesterol and the cells of blood vessel walls. Cells become irritated by the presence of that cholesterol, and this begins a series of overreactions and unfortunate events that leads to the generation of fatty plaques that narrow blood vessels and weaken blood vessel walls. In conjunction with the raised blood pressure present in older individuals, this eventually leads to the dramatic structural failure of a stroke or heart attack, when a large blood vessel is blocked or ruptures. If there is less cholesterol in the bloodstream, however, the whole chain of cause and effect slows down. That slowing isn't as good as fixing the issue, such as by effectively sabotaging any one of the bad cellular behaviors that combine to lead to the growth of plaques, but it is certainly a lot better than nothing. Statins are the obvious item to point out when thinking about cholesterol, aging, and cardiovascular disease. The widespread use of this class of drug has done much to reduce the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease. These days, however, researchers are looking into more targeted means of reducing cholesterol levels,...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs