Heart Health
New Study: Even Healthy Hearts Can Benefit from Statins
If you have high cholesterol or diabetes, your doctor may have prescribed cholesterol-lowering "statin" medications to reduce your risks of heart disease. Doctors also prescribe statins to slow the progression of heart disease. But findings from a new study have taken them by surprise.
The JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) study has shown that statins prevent heart disease and lower risks of stroke and death – even in individuals with normal cholesterol levels.
"This study is huge – a blockbuster," says Steve Nissen, M.D., Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic and one of the investigators. "What no one has done before is to suggest that people who don't have heart disease or diabetes or high cholesterol would benefit from these drugs. That's where JUPITER takes us – where we haven't gone before."
The Key: Your CRP
JUPITER enrolled more than 17,000 otherwise healthy participants with normal levels of LDL (the "lethal" cholesterol), but elevated levels of "high-sensitivity C-reactive protein" or CRP.
CRP, a measure of inflammation in the body, is linked to heart disease and other illnesses. Statins primarily lower LDL and raise "healthy" HDL cholesterol levels, but they also reduce CRP levels.
Half the study participants received the common statin medication Rosuvastatin. The other half received an inactive "placebo" pill. Investigators tracked the incidence of heart attack, stroke and hospitalization or death from cardiovascular causes, and because it was so much lower in the statin group, they halted JUPITER early.
Statins Can Help Millions – Are You Eligible?
"This study identifies millions of patients who wouldn't qualify for treatment with a statin under current guidelines," Dr. Nissen stresses.
Even if your health is good, it's important to know your CRP levels. These can be determined through a simple blood test ordered by your doctor. Your doctor will alert you if your CRP levels are high and advise you on whether you may meet the criteria for statin therapy.
Statins' Value Outweighs Cost
The cost of this statin prescription – nearly $1,000 per year – is outweighed by its benefits, says Dr. Nissen, who, like other Cleveland Clinic doctors, has begun to alter treatment plans.
"For every 25 patients you treat for five years, you prevent one heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, angioplasty or death – that's a pretty favorable cost-benefit ratio," he says.
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