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Statins reduce stroke risk by 1/5

The study found that statin use is associated with a significant reduction in stroke risk, with each 1 mmol/L decrease in LDL cholesterol resulting in a relative risk reduction of 21%. Statins also have additional benefits for cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateApr 14, 2009

6.5 million more patients might benefit from statins to prevent heart attacks, strokes

Researchers estimate that around 6.5 million older adults with low cholesterol and high C-reactive protein levels might benefit from statin therapy to prevent cardiovascular events. Expanding prescribing criteria to include CRP levels could potentially prevent thousands of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths each year.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 18, 2009

Statins lower stroke severity, improve recovery

Mayo Clinic researchers found that statin use reduced stroke severity and improved outcomes, even in patients with ideal cholesterol levels. The study suggests benefits beyond lipid lowering, including plaque stabilization and anti-inflammatory effects.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2009

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that high-frequency telephone counseling with a dietician resulted in the same amount of weight loss as face-to-face counseling for obese patients taking sibutramine. Wider use of statins could be a cost-effective strategy to prevent heart disease, but may require reevaluation if pill costs are lower.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2009

Ongoing statin therapy associated with lower risk of death

Continuing statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk of death over four to five years, even among those without diagnosed heart disease. Patients who took statins for at least 90% of the follow-up period showed a 45% lower risk of death compared to those who did not adhere to treatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2009

Traditional risk assessment tools do not accurately predict coronary heart disease

A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that traditional risk assessment tools do not accurately predict coronary heart disease. The study analyzed 1,653 patients and found that 21% of those thought to need statin drugs did not require them, and 26% of those already taking statins had no detectable plaque.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJan 6, 2009

Statin warning for pregnant women

New research from the University of Manchester has shown that even water-soluble statins can affect placental development, leading to worse pregnancy outcomes. Current guidelines recommend avoiding statins during pregnancy due to their potential risks, and this study supports these recommendations.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine·DateDec 9, 2008

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may also lower PSA, but whether they cut cancer risk is still not known

Popular cholesterol-busting drugs statins appear to lower men's PSA values along with their cholesterol levels. However, it remains unclear whether statins prevent prostate cancer growth or just mask it. The study found that PSA levels declined by an average of about four percent after starting statins.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 28, 2008

Statin use associated with reduction in prostate specific antigen levels

A recent study found that statin use is associated with a decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, suggesting potential benefits for prostate cancer screening and management. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,200 men, showed a median decline of 4.1% in PSA levels after starting statin therapy.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 28, 2008

Statins associated with lower risk of death from pneumonia

A study found that individuals taking statins before hospitalization for pneumonia had a lower risk of death within 90 days, particularly among those older than 80 and with bacteremia. The benefits were seen primarily in the early phase of infection, suggesting that statin use is beneficial primarily in the initial stages of infection.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateOct 27, 2008

Statins may prevent miscarriages

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that statins can prevent white blood cell activation and protect pregnancies in women with APS. The study suggests that statins may be used as a treatment for women with APS-induced pregnancy complications.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 10, 2008

Statins may protect against memory loss

A new study led by the University of Michigan found that people at high risk for dementia who took cholesterol-lowering statins were half as likely to develop dementia. The five-year study involved older Mexican-Americans with metabolic conditions and showed a significant reduction in dementia risk.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNeurology·DateJul 28, 2008

Statins may help reduce blood pressure

Researchers found that statins can modestly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. The study showed a significant decrease in blood pressure at six months of treatment, but not at one month.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateApr 14, 2008

Social contacts and mixing patterns

A study of 7,290 participants in eight European countries identified patterns of person-to-person contact relevant to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Statins impair antitumor effects of rituximab and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against B cell lymphoma cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 24, 2008

Atrogin breaks down the side effects of statins

Researchers identified atrogin-1 as a key factor in statin-induced muscle damage, which can be prevented by inhibiting its function. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for high cholesterol patients experiencing unwanted side effects.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2007

Statins reduce loss of function, keeping old lungs young - even in smokers

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that statins reduce the annual loss of lung function in elderly individuals, including those who smoke. The researchers suggest that statins' ability to reduce inflammation and smoking-induced injury in the lungs may be responsible for this effect.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 12, 2007