Thousands of deaths could be prevented a year if people at risk of heart attack or stroke are prescribed more powerful statins, a study shows.

The cholestoral-reducing drugs cost just 85p per month and are already prescribed to five million mostly over-45s to break down fatty deposits inside arteries.

Among those at the highest risk of heart disease, taking stronger statins would result in four fewer deaths per 100 people every year, according to research published in the Lancet.
Reducing the risk: Among those at the highest risk of heart disease, taking stronger statins would result in four fewer deaths per 100 people every year, according to research published in the Lancet

Reducing the risk: Among those at the highest risk of heart disease, taking stronger statins would result in four fewer deaths per 100 people every year, according to research published in the Lancet

The study, an analysis of 26 trials including 170,000 participants, examined how death rates came down as statins were prescribed to reduce the levels of LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, in the blood.

Researchers from Oxford and Sydney found that among those with a high risk of suffering a ‘major vascular event’, the death rate fell in proportion to the drop in the level of LDL.

The effect was the same, even among those with bad cholesterol considered within healthy levels. It suggests that more intensive statin treatment is worthwhile to cut people’s amount of LDL and reduce their risk of death.

The British Heart Foundation hailed the study as an important step in the battle against heart disease.

Spokesman Professor Jeremy Pearson said: ‘Cutting cholesterol cuts your risk of a heart attack. However it’s been unclear whether going the extra mile to lower cholesterol even further pays off.

‘This research, funded partly by the British Heart Foundation, proves that a bigger drop in cholesterol from more intensive treatment with statins cuts the chance of having a heart attack even more.’
Beating high cholesterol: Doctors need to inform patients about various ways of lowering their cholesterol bu cholesterol-lowering drugs can be another important tool

Beating high cholesterol: Doctors need to inform patients about various ways of lowering their cholesterol bu cholesterol-lowering drugs can be another important tool

Mr Pearson added that more people experienced side effects when taking the stronger statins.

‘Doctors may wish to consider switching patients to alternative treatments, such as combining statins with other cholesterol-lowering drugs, rather than ramping up the dose,’ he said.

‘But this research may change GPs’ guidelines on how to prescribe statins, and gives them another tool for helping people keep their hearts healthy.’

Statins have been linked with side-effects including a serious muscle wasting disease.

However, experts insist they are safe for most people.

Heart disease causes 233,000 deaths every year in the UK.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl...z14mPNq2wr

Not to mention that its very easy to lower cholesterol levels without taking life-threatening drugs.

My husband's cholesterol levels dropped within a few months after starting on Nopalea. His most recent blood work documented that his cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels all dropped significantly. Needless to say his doctor was surprised since my husband doesn't take any of the drugs that are normally recommended in these cases.

That was an unexpected benefit when we started on Nopalea, but we're very happy about it!

The trouble with statins of any kind is that they don't seem to work the same way for everyone and so they increase the strength and then the side effects start. Basically, all you're doing is trading off one health concern for another.

Wouldn't it make more sense to get rid of the cause of the high cholesterol levels instead of just treating the symptoms?

I'm not recommending that people get off their medications without first checking with their doctor, but if they treat the cause, in time the doctor will take them off because their blood work would show they don't need these harmful drugs anymore. We speak to people on a daily basis who have already been able to get off their drugs.. or at least reduce them. Just be sure to do that under your doctor's care.

(11-10-2010 12:14 AM)Tulasu Wrote:  Not to mention that its very easy to lower cholesterol levels without taking life-threatening drugs.

My husband's cholesterol levels dropped within a few months after starting on Nopalea. His most recent blood work documented that his cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels all dropped significantly. Needless to say his doctor was surprised since my husband doesn't take any of the drugs that are normally recommended in these cases.

That was an unexpected benefit when we started on Nopalea, but we're very happy about it!

The trouble with statins of any kind is that they don't seem to work the same way for everyone and so they increase the strength and then the side effects start. Basically, all you're doing is trading off one health concern for another.

Wouldn't it make more sense to get rid of the cause of the high cholesterol levels instead of just treating the symptoms?

I'm not recommending that people get off their medications without first checking with their doctor, but if they treat the cause, in time the doctor will take them off because their blood work would show they don't need these harmful drugs anymore. We speak to people on a daily basis who have already been able to get off their drugs.. or at least reduce them. Just be sure to do that under your doctor's care.

I have been taking 5mg Simverstatin for 20yrs without side effects that I can tell. They are made in THailand so not expensive.

I use Crestor, does a great job and keeps cholesterol way under control. Its very expensive but is covered by PBS in Australia, so it works out to about $36 AUD per month

http://www.pbs.gov.au/