Statin
drugs for All?
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In The Lancet in
July 2002, an article from the Heart Protection Group has begun to reshape
the thinking of the use of statin (cholesterol-lowering drugs) for all
patients.
In this large (>20,000 patients) trial, individuals were placed on either
Simvastatin (Zocor) 40 mg daily or placebo if they were felt to be at high
risk for the development of heart disease. These individuals included those
with prior heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (i.e.; carotid artery
disease or leg artery disease) or diabetes irregardless of their
cholesterol levels.
The study found a large reduction in the incidence of cardiac deaths in
all participants, a significant reduction in peripheral vascular events
(including stroke) and no change in the number of cardiac deaths. The
incidence of muscle aching was the same in the treated as well as control
groups. There was no increased incident of liver disease or cancers.
This study suggests that all high-risk patients (those with heart disease,
peripheral vascular disease or diabetes) should be receiving a statin agent. |
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