6 Foods to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk

Leafy greens, berries, extra-virgin olive oil, fish (omega-3s), nuts and whole grains, and beans and legumes are recommended foods to reduce cardiovascular risk. Leafy greens provide nitrates, potassium, folate, and polyphenols, while berries contain flavonoids that improve vascular function and inflammation profiles. Extra-virgin olive oil is linked to lower cardiovascular events, and fish supply omega-3s that reduce coronary and arrhythmic risk. Nuts and whole grains are associated with better lipids, glycemic control, and lower cardiovascular risk. Beans and legumes improve LDL cholesterol and glycemic markers that drive heart risk.

Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) has received a significant boost with the inclusion of its bempedoic acid in the 2025 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Guidelines for Dyslipidaemias management. The drug has been recommended as the only non-statin newly recommended treatment for LDL-C lowering and cardiovascular risk reduction [1].

The guidelines, published in the European Heart Journal, specifically recommend bempedoic acid for patients unable to take statins (Class I, Level A/B) and suggest its addition to maximum statin doses with/without ezetimibe for high-risk patients (Class IIa, Level C). This endorsement aligns with Esperion's strategic development of oral triple combination therapies, which combine bempedoic acid, ezetimibe, and either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin [1].

The recognition of bempedoic acid in the 2025 ESC/EAS Guidelines represents a substantial clinical validation for Esperion, particularly notable as it is the only non-statin newly recommended for LDL-C lowering and cardiovascular risk reduction in these updated guidelines. The recommendation comes with substantial clinical weight, receiving a Class I, Level A recommendation for patients unable to take statins, and a Class I, Level B recommendation specifically for bempedoic acid in statin-intolerant patients. This positions the drug favorably in the treatment algorithm for hyperlipidemia [1].

From a commercial perspective, this endorsement provides Esperion's European partner, Daiichi Sankyo Europe, with powerful clinical support to accelerate market access and adoption across European territories. European guideline recognition typically influences prescribing patterns significantly, as physicians tend to closely follow these evidence-based recommendations. The potential impact extends beyond Europe, as these guidelines may inform upcoming US cholesterol treatment guidelines [1].

Esperion's development of oral triple combination therapies responds directly to the clinical need for simplified regimens that improve adherence, a persistent challenge in chronic preventive therapy. Single-pill combinations have consistently demonstrated improved medication adherence compared to multiple separate pills, potentially translating to better real-world outcomes in cardiovascular risk reduction [1].

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ESPR/esperion-s-bempedoic-acid-receives-level-1a-recommendation-in-bvm8r09jr393.html