Menu
01/07/2009
Statins Good For Healthy People At Risk Of Heart Disease
Widely prescribed statins should be given to people without established cardiovascular disease but with risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the Western world. The benefits of statin therapy in patients with established cardiovascular disease (known as secondary prevention) have been clearly demonstrated, but it is still not clear whether treating lower risk people without established disease (known as primary prevention) would also be worthwhile.
The benefit of treating people aged over 65, women, and those with diabetes is also uncertain.
So an international team of researchers investigated whether statins reduce deaths and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people without established heart disease.
They analysed the results of ten large trials involving over 70,000 patients. All the trials compared statin therapy with placebo or control group and tracked patients for an average of four years. Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
Compared to controls, statins cut deaths from all causes by 12% and cut the risk of major events by 30% in patients without established heart disease.
No significant treatment differences were found between men and women, elderly and young patients, and those with and without diabetes. There was also no evidence of an increased risk of cancer with statin therapy.
These results are very much in line with previous studies on the effects of statins in secondary prevention, say the authors.
From the current data, it is not possible to exactly define one group of people who would benefit most from long term statin use, but they suggest that men over 65 years with risk factors, or older women with diabetes and risk factors, constitute the highest risk group.
Further work is needed to improve the identification of these people and to accurately assess their risk. But, given the favourable of long term statin treatment, it would be wrong to deny these benefits to people at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, they conclude.
(JM/BMcC)
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the Western world. The benefits of statin therapy in patients with established cardiovascular disease (known as secondary prevention) have been clearly demonstrated, but it is still not clear whether treating lower risk people without established disease (known as primary prevention) would also be worthwhile.
The benefit of treating people aged over 65, women, and those with diabetes is also uncertain.
So an international team of researchers investigated whether statins reduce deaths and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people without established heart disease.
They analysed the results of ten large trials involving over 70,000 patients. All the trials compared statin therapy with placebo or control group and tracked patients for an average of four years. Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
Compared to controls, statins cut deaths from all causes by 12% and cut the risk of major events by 30% in patients without established heart disease.
No significant treatment differences were found between men and women, elderly and young patients, and those with and without diabetes. There was also no evidence of an increased risk of cancer with statin therapy.
These results are very much in line with previous studies on the effects of statins in secondary prevention, say the authors.
From the current data, it is not possible to exactly define one group of people who would benefit most from long term statin use, but they suggest that men over 65 years with risk factors, or older women with diabetes and risk factors, constitute the highest risk group.
Further work is needed to improve the identification of these people and to accurately assess their risk. But, given the favourable of long term statin treatment, it would be wrong to deny these benefits to people at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, they conclude.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 October 2010
Kidney Function Linked To Heart And Brain
People with impaired kidney function are at a higher risk of future stroke than people with normal kidney function, new studies have found. The studies, carried out by the British Medical Association, finds that even the earliest stages of chronic kidney disease are linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
Kidney Function Linked To Heart And Brain
People with impaired kidney function are at a higher risk of future stroke than people with normal kidney function, new studies have found. The studies, carried out by the British Medical Association, finds that even the earliest stages of chronic kidney disease are linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
25 January 2006
More drugs to help reduce heart disease risk
Revised guidelines for the prescription of cholesterol-busting drugs mean that over three million people at risk from cardiovascular disease (CVD) will now be able to receive them.
More drugs to help reduce heart disease risk
Revised guidelines for the prescription of cholesterol-busting drugs mean that over three million people at risk from cardiovascular disease (CVD) will now be able to receive them.
12 February 2014
Thousands More Could Be Prescribed Statins - NICE
Thousands more people could be prescribed statins to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, under draft guidance.
Thousands More Could Be Prescribed Statins - NICE
Thousands more people could be prescribed statins to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, under draft guidance.
04 September 2009
'Large Thighs' May Halt Heart Disease
Men and women whose thighs are less than 60cm in circumference have a higher risk of premature death and heart disease, according to research published on bmj.com today. The study also concluded that individuals whose thighs are wider than 60cm have no added protective effect.
'Large Thighs' May Halt Heart Disease
Men and women whose thighs are less than 60cm in circumference have a higher risk of premature death and heart disease, according to research published on bmj.com today. The study also concluded that individuals whose thighs are wider than 60cm have no added protective effect.
07 August 2009
Male Angina 'Doubles Risk Of Heart Attack'
New research has shown that men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, a study published by the British Medical Journal has revealed.
Male Angina 'Doubles Risk Of Heart Attack'
New research has shown that men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, a study published by the British Medical Journal has revealed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with long spells of sunshine for most, however eastern coasts will see rather more in the way of cloud at times, with just the risk of an odd light morning shower. Mainly light northerly winds. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains dry overnight with a touch of frost possible in places, although cloud is expected to increase towards dawn. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
