Eastern Iowans will soon be able to take part in a study of a cholesterol-busting drug. Dr. Eric Dippel, a cardiologist at Genesis Heart Institute in Davenport, says the new drug is only known now as C-P-5-2-9-4-1-4 but it promises to do something -no- other drug does. Many drugs on the market can help lower the “bad” cholesterol level. This one is supposedly able to lower the “bad” cholesterol while raising the “good” cholesterol levels at the same time. Dr. Dippel says the drug will be tested on patients who are undergoing treatment to lower their cholesterol, adding, “The exciting part is that the drug…may not only slow down the disease process, but actually reduce hardening of the arteries.” Patients will take the drug once a day, though some will get a placebo or sugar pill as part of the two-year study. The drug has not yet been approved by the F-D-A. Dippel says it’s important that Iowans understand the impact of heart disease, to which cholesterol can be a significant contributing factor. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more people than the top six other causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Genesis is believed to be the only medical center in Iowa taking part in the study. Some 145 hospitals will enroll hundreds of patients to participate in the study in Europe and North America. For more information, surf to “www.genesisheart.com”.