Heart Attack Risk and Statin Drugs
Heart Attack Risk and Statin Drugs
The results of a new study, which were reported last month, indicate
that the popular statin drugs, best known for their ability to lower
cholesterol levels in the body, may help prevent heart problems in people
who are otherwise healthy. News media who covered the study called it
significant in that the findings may help people with normal or even
low cholesterol levels, who might still be at risk for a heart attack.
The study involved over 17,000 middle age and elderly men and
women with low LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) but high CRP
(C-reactive protein) levels. CRP is a measure of inflammation, which
may be predictive of the early stages of heart disease. Participants took
either placebo (dummy pills) or Crestor (rosuvastatin), one of the cholesterol-
lower statin medications. None had a history of heart problems.
The study, which was originally set to last 5 years, was stopped after
about 2 years because those getting the statin were, by all measures,
doing much better than the placebo group. The incidence of heart attacks,
strokes, hospitalizations, and heart-related deaths were reduced
by over 40%.