Early use of two low-cost drugs key to saving lives

GIVING patients a combination of drugs earlier in their treatment could prevent thousands of heart attacks - saving lives and the NHS money.

- By Helen William

They should be treated earlier with statins and the cholesterol-lowering drug Ezetimibe, researchers at Lund University in Sweden and Imperial College London said.

The scientists looked at ways to tackle cardiovascular disease, which sparks heart attacks.

Professor Kausik Ray, from Imperial College London's School of Public Health, said: "This study shows we could save lives and reduce further heart attacks by giving patients a combination of two low-cost drugs.

Clots

"But at the moment patients aren't receiving these drugs together.