Why Lifestyle Beats Pills: Repatha, Heart Health, and Real Prevention

The Truth Behind the Stats: Why Many Prescription Drugs Aren’t the Miracle You Think—And Why Lifestyle Still Matters Most

At Swank Chiropractic Sports Medicine in Cary, NC, our mission is to help patients achieve long-term health through evidence-based, lifestyle-driven care. Dr. Abbie Swank and Dr. Parker Neill often encounter patients who believe that prescription medications alone—for example, Repatha for heart health—can replace the need for lasting lifestyle changes. It’s an understandable assumption, especially when ads boast bold claims like “27% reduced risk of heart attack.” But the truth behind those numbers tells a very different story.

What the Numbers Really Mean

Let’s use Repatha as a clear example. The FOURIER trial—a key study used in Repatha’s advertising—showed:

• Heart attacks in placebo group (no Repatha): 4.6%
• Heart attacks in Repatha group: 3.4%

That’s a 1.2% absolute risk reduction, meaning out of 100 people, only 1.2 fewer heart attacks occurred in those who took Repatha. But the ads highlight a 27% relative risk reduction, which is calculated by comparing the difference to the original group (1.2 ÷ 4.6 = 26.1%). That sounds impressive—until you realize it's just a shift from 4.6 to 3.4%.

So yes, Repatha has some benefit—but the impact is modest. And more importantly, the way the numbers are presented can be misleading and make people believe the pill does far more than it actually does.

The Real Problem: The Perception of a “Magic Pill”

Here’s the deeper issue: When people believe a pill like Repatha is dramatically reducing their risk, they often assume they don’t need to make other changes—like improving their diet, exercising regularly, or managing stress. The result? A population that’s medicated, but not necessarily healthier.

This is the illusion of the pharmaceutical “miracle”—that it’s doing all the work, when in reality, it’s offering minimal benefit unless paired with real, sustainable lifestyle changes.

Why Lifestyle Usually Wins

At Swank Chiropractic Sports Medicine, we’ve built our approach on the principle that the body performs better when it's moving better—and that’s something no pill can replicate. Cardiovascular health, in particular, is deeply influenced by:

• Consistent exercise and joint mobility
• A diet low in processed foods and sugars
• Effective stress management and nervous system regulation
• Posture, proper biomechanics, and movement patterns that support circulatory efficiency

Chiropractic care, combined with corrective exercise and sports medicine expertise, offers an active, functional way to support long-term heart and overall health.

Choose Empowerment Over Passive Care

Dr. Parker Neill and Dr. Abbie Swank don’t just want to help you feel better—they want to help you live better. That means cutting through the noise of exaggerated drug marketing and helping you understand your real options.

So yes—medications like Repatha might play a role in certain cases. But don’t let minimal benefits lull you into skipping the most powerful medicine of all: movement, nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and natural care.

Ready to take a smarter path to better health?
Book an appointment at Swank Chiropractic Sports Medicine in Cary, NC today and discover a proactive, evidence-based approach that works with your body—not just around it.

Serving Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Raleigh for over 30 years.