Statins Prevent Heart Disease in People with Normal Cholesterol Levels
A new study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that taking statin drugs like Crestor or Lipitor may prevent heart disease even if you don’t have high cholesterol levels.
The study looked to test whether statins could prevent heart disease in patients with normal cholesterol levels but high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. C-reactive protein is a biomarker used to measure the levels of inflammation, which is thought to play a role in half of all cardiac events. Inflammation has a compound effect on the amount of LDL cholesterol absorbed by artery walls and can lead to further plaque buildup (See our article on The Role of Inflammation in Heart Attacks).
The clinical trial included 17,802 men and women from different parts the world with cholesterol levels less than 130 mg/dL and CRP levels above 2.0 mg/L. Participants were given 20 mg of rosuvastatin (Crestor) or a placebo.
After 2 years, the 5 year study was ended because the endpoints had been met. The results showed that statins lowered the risk of cardiac events by 44 percent. The statins were shown to lower LDL cholesterol by 50% and CRP levels by 37%. The total number of deaths was 20% less in participants taking statins compared to the placebo group.
The new findings could rework who is eligible for statins, potentially adding 10 million more Americans to the existing 36 million already taking a statin drug. Currently, only people with high LDL cholesterol levels are prescribed statins. This study may help validate CRP levels as an additional test to determine people at a higher risk for heart disease.
Do you think statins should be prescribed to people who don’t have high cholesterol levels? Please share your opinions and experiences with statin drugs!
17. November 2008 at 8:35 pm :
This isn’t the first time that the drug companies have tried to expand the boundaries for statin usage. Previously claimed to inhibit Alzheimer’s, and prevent future blockage in users with healthy cholesterol levels, — claims which turned out to be untrue- the drug companies still pursue their dreams of a statin in every medicine cabinet.
Advance for patients” ask you doctor if Lipitor is REALLY right for you, and don’t just buy into the hype. Alternatives such as garlic, turmeric, and some indian auyervedic and chinese herbs have been shown to be just as effective, but without the side effects.