People who have, or are at high risk of, heart disease may live longer and have fewer strokes by starting a combination of two cholesterol-lowering drugs — statins and ezetimibe — instead of just one, according to a recent study.

The meta-analysis — a study that combines results from many previous studies — looked at more than 108,000 people who were at very high risk of heart attack or stroke, including many who’d already had one. Researchers found that combination therapy reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol more than statins alone. It was linked to a 19 percent lower risk of death from any cause, an 18 percent lower risk of major cardiovascular events, and a 17 percent lower risk of strokes compared to statins alone.

Additionally, the combination didn’t increase side effects or the chances of people stopping treatment.

Potential Lower-Cost LDL Management

LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Statins are the most commonly used medication to lower cholesterol. Ezetimibe helps reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from food. Together, the two drugs may help more people meet cholesterol goals.

This study suggests that starting both drugs right away, rather than waiting to add ezetimibe, may reduce future heart attacks, strokes, and even heart failure.

“This approach does not require additional funding or reimbursement of new expensive drugs. In fact, it may translate into lower rates of first and subsequent heart attacks and stroke, and their complications like heart failure,” said Peter Toth, a co-author of the study and a professor at the University of Illinois and Johns Hopkins University.

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or living with heart disease, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help build a treatment plan tailored to your needs — possibly including medication, lifestyle changes, or both.

A healthy diet can help with LDL levels. Here are five foods to eat if you’re living with heart disease.

Find Your Team

On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, the social network for people living with heart disease and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with cardiovascular conditions.

Are you taking a statin or combination cholesterol-lowering therapy? What’s worked best for you? Share your tips and experiences in a comment below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.