Science Friday Looking Beyond Statins For New Ways To Lower Cholesterol
Jan 21, 2026
Neha Pagidipati, a preventive cardiologist at Duke University, and Kiran Musunuru, a cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, dissect cholesterol management strategies. They explore the effectiveness of diet versus advanced treatments. CRISPR technology stands out as a revolutionary approach to permanently turn off cholesterol-producing genes. The conversation also touches on statins, their benefits, and alternatives for patients with statin intolerance. The potential future of gene therapies in cardiovascular health is both exciting and uncertain.
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10-Year Scores Miss Lifetime Risk
- Risk scores estimate 10-year heart risk but miss younger people with lifetime risk.
- Incorporate family history, ancestry, imaging, and individualized judgment into decisions.
How Statins Lower Cholesterol
- Statins block liver cholesterol production by inhibiting a key enzyme.
- That reduces overall blood cholesterol while sparing the molecule's essential roles.
Particle Size Drives Risk
- Cholesterol travels in lipoprotein particles that vary in size and risk.
- Smaller particles penetrate artery walls more easily and raise cardiovascular risk more.