Clinical trials getting underway on cholesterol treatments

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Local researchers are testing some newer therapies, which could help reduce a person’s risk of a heart attack. Those who are interested may be able to get these therapies at no cost as part of a clinical trial.

For those struggling with high cholesterol levels, local researchers are looking to see if they can help bring down their numbers.

“We have about three or four cholesterol studies happening, throughout the Cincinnati area,” said Kurt Percy, executive director of regional operations at Velocity Clinical Research.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. Too much of it can raise a person’s risk of a serious heart event or even a heart attack.

Velocity researchers are now studying several new therapies to bring down cholesterol. Some of them work differently than those currently on the market.

“The reason we do studies like these is pretty simple. Cardiac and heart disease is the number one killer across the globe. We estimate 22 million people will die from heart disease in the next 15 years,” said Katie Vale-Freeburg, a sub-investigator at Velocity Clinical Research.

However, many of those deaths are preventable through regular doctor’s visits and learning about heart risks. People may be able to reduce cholesterol with a healthy lifestyle, a healthy diet and some of these newer therapies now in trials and coming onto the market.

One of them is called a PCSK9.

“So, the way that this drug works is your liver makes a protein called PCSK9, and what that protein does is it makes it hard for your liver to get that cholesterol out of your body. What this drug does is it blocks that protein, and it makes it easier for your body to get rid of the cholesterol,” Vale-Freeburg said.

For anyone interested in participating in one of these trials, call (984) 666-5676 or click here.