The Eli Lilly drug caused a major drop in the blood levels of Lp(a), but further research is needed to show that it will prevent heart attacks and strokes.

High cholesterol causes plaque buildup in arteries, which can restrict blood flow and lead to heart attack or stroke. Statins, which reduce cholesterol levels, are commonly prescribed to people at high risk for heart attack or stroke.

A new drug may help protect millions of people from heart attacks and strokes by lowering a little-known risk factor in the blood. The drug, made by Eli Lilly and called lepodisiran, lowered levels of a tiny particle called Lp(a) by 94% with a single shot,