Articles tagged with Statins
A recent study found that PCSK9 inhibitors may impair lung function in some patients, while statins have a protective effect on the brain, increasing hippocampus volume which may reduce dementia and depression risk. The study used genetic data from 340,000 UK Biobank participants.
A novel molecular pathway has been identified, explaining how a mutation in the ACTA2 gene can cause individuals in their 30s with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease. The mutation leads to stress in smooth muscle cells, triggering the production of excess cholesterol and driving atherosclerotic plaque formation.
A new study published in JAMA found that bempedoic acid can reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk primary prevention patients who cannot tolerate recommended doses of statins. The treatment has the potential to improve outcomes for these patients, providing a new option for primary prevention.
A new study by CNIC researchers reveals that low-grade systemic inflammation triggered by subclinical atherosclerosis accelerates epigenetic aging in otherwise healthy young individuals. The study found a strong association between atherosclerosis progression and accelerated biological age, with potential reversibility through lifestyl...
A new analysis of the CLEAR Outcomes Trial found that bempedoic acid lowered LDL cholesterol levels by 21% and reduced cardiovascular events by 13%. This suggests that different classes of cholesterol drugs have similar benefits for cardiovascular health.
A new study shows that saracatinib reduces inflammation in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by more than 90% and boosts genes that help clean up plaque deposits. The experimental cancer drug may offer an effective therapy for cases where standard treatment fails to help.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal found that plant-based diets can play a significant role in reducing blocked arteries and lowering the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. The analysis of 30 randomised trials with over 2,300 participants showed a 14% reduction in artery-clogging lipoproteins.
A new Northwestern University study finds that CT scans are more effective than genetics in predicting the risk of heart disease in middle-aged individuals. The study used data from over 3,200 adults and found that adding CT scan data to conventional risk factors improved the accuracy of risk prediction.
Researchers used computational tools and medical record analysis to investigate the effects of statin drugs on COVID-19 patients. They found that only certain statins, including simvastatin and atorvastatin, reduced mortality risk in COVID-19 patients, while others had no effect.
A daily statin medication reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 35% among people living with HIV. The NIH study, REPRIEVE, enrolled over 7,700 volunteers and found that pitavastatin calcium lowered cardiovascular risk without increasing adverse drug events.
Researchers found that statin users can engage in moderate-intensity exercise without exacerbating muscle injury or symptoms. The study's findings are reassuring for people experiencing muscle pain or fatigue from statins and provide important guidance for maintaining physical activity and heart health.
The study found that statin use for primary prevention was low among all racial and ethnic groups, despite varying levels of 10-year ASCVD risk. Improving access to care may help increase equitable use of primary prevention statins in Black and Hispanic adults.
Researchers have discovered a novel medication that effectively treats a rare hereditary muscle disease causing complete immobility and death. The treatment has also shown promise in treating severe statin-associated myopathy, with improved symptoms in patients awaiting treatment.
Researchers found that statins protected blood vessels against inflammation, reducing cardiovascular risk in sleep apnea patients. In contrast, CPAP therapy increased levels of angiopoietin-2, a protein associated with heart disease.
Using risk assessment tools, an 'active' approach to statin selection doubles the rate of appropriate statin use in patients at risk for cardiovascular events. This approach also leads to lower LDL cholesterol and lower rates of major adverse cardiac events.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that over 20% of patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease refused statin medications. Women were more likely than men to refuse statin therapy, with a 50% higher rate of never accepting the recommendation.
Research highlights underuse of dual blood thinners in women after minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), with potential benefits for stroke prevention. A study analyzed electronic health records of 2,953 adults and found that women were less likely to receive the treatment regimen, despite evidence suggesting its effectiveness.
Preterm birth increases the risk of cardiovascular problems; combining steroids with statins could eliminate negative effects while retaining respiratory benefits. Researchers found that combined therapy improved lung function and reduced cardiovascular issues in rat pups.
Researchers from Complexity Science Hub and Medical University of Vienna found that high doses of cholesterol-lowering statins impair bone quality in mice, with a significant increase in osteoporosis risk. The study confirms previous findings on the correlation between statin use and osteoporosis diagnosis in humans.
A new study published in Neurology found that people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may have a lower risk of having a type of stroke called an intracerebral hemorrhage. Longer use of statins was associated with a lower risk of stroke in both lobe and non-lobe areas of the brain.
Researchers found shared genetic factors that contribute to severe COVID-19 risk and blood analyte levels. High triglyceride levels were strongly linked to increased risk of severe disease, supporting the use of lipid-lowering drugs against severe COVID-19.
Researchers developed a deep learning model that uses a single chest X-ray to predict the 10-year risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The model performed similarly to established clinical standards and provided incremental value in predicting major adverse cardiac events.
A new study from Northwestern University found that vitamin D supplements do not significantly reduce statin-associated muscle symptoms, contradicting previous non-randomized studies. The trial involved 2,083 participants and was the first placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to examine this effect.
Researchers at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University have discovered a small-molecule oral drug that reduces PCSK9 levels and lowers cholesterol by 70% in animal models. This breakthrough could also improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
A new medication, pemafibrate, lowered triglyceride levels among adults with Type 2 diabetes, but did not decrease their cardiovascular risk. The study found that lowering triglyceride levels may not protect against cardiovascular disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
A study published in the American Heart Association found that six common dietary supplements did not lower LDL cholesterol levels when compared to a low-dose statin medication or placebo. The research suggests that these supplements are unlikely to offer meaningful impact on cholesterol levels, and a heart-healthy lifestyle is still t...
A new study published in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity suggests that statin therapy is not justified for healthy individuals with high cholesterol. The research found a very weak association between low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The SECURE trial found that the polypill, containing aspirin, ramipril, and atorvastatin, achieves clinically relevant reductions in recurrent cardiovascular events among patients recovering from a heart attack. This simplified approach improves treatment adherence, leading to a 33% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
Researchers found that statins, commonly prescribed lipid-lowering drugs, provide a protective immune function in females. Women taking statins were 75% less likely to be ANA+, suggesting a sex-specific difference in the relationship between lipid metabolism and immunity.
The USPSTF recommends prescribing statins for adults aged 40-75 with one or more CVD risk factors and estimated 10-year CVD risk of 10% or greater. For those aged 76 or older, the evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation. Statin use can significantly reduce CVD events and mortality in this population.
A world-first study has confirmed the link between Alzheimer's Disease and multiple gut disorders, revealing shared genetic architecture. The study suggests that abnormal cholesterol levels play a key role in both conditions, and may lead to new potential treatments for Alzheimer's and gut disorders.
Research found a link between genetic variants that mimic statin medication effects and increased risk of developing cataracts. Genetic analysis revealed carriers of rare mutations in the HMGCR gene have almost complete protein inhibition, similar to taking statins.
A randomized controlled trial found that spinal anesthesia was associated with worse pain immediately after surgery, but differences diminished over time. Researchers also found higher rates of pain reliever prescriptions at 60 days in the spinal anesthesia group.
Researchers linked dietary cholesterol to exacerbation of viral infections in mice, showing that high levels of cholesterol made mice sicker when infected with influenza. The study found that dietary cholesterol increased the number of cytokine-producing immune cells in the lungs, contributing to excessive inflammation.
A new study found that statin users were less likely to recognize fearful faces and more likely to report them as positive, indicating reduced negative emotional bias. Statins may provide protection against depression through their effect on emotion processing, possibly due to anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
A study published in Med found that the human microbiome's variation explains different patient responses to statins. The researchers discovered a Bacteroides enriched microbiome with lower diversity was associated with stronger LDL-lowering effects but greater disruption of blood glucose levels.
A new study by Intermountain Healthcare finds that alcohol does not provide extra heart protection for patients taking statins. In contrast, moderate drinkers had lower rates of major adverse cardiac events in primary prevention patients who were not on a statin.
The study found a twofold regression of coronary atherosclerosis and stabilization of high-risk plaques in patients who received alirocumab, compared to those who received a placebo. Patients treated with alirocumab also needed significantly fewer repeat stenting procedures.
A new study published in Neurology found that people taking statin drugs have a lower chance of developing parkinsonism later compared to those who were not taking statins. Statins may help reduce the risk due to their protective effect on arteries in the brain.
A new study found that people who have atherothrombotic stroke and high triglyceride levels are at a higher risk of having another stroke or cardiovascular problems one year later. Statin medications can still be an effective treatment for high triglycerides, but diet modifications and exercise may also be necessary to reduce the risk.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the link between high cholesterol and heart disease may not be as strong as previously thought. The research suggests that statins may have a modest benefit for some individuals, but this benefit varies depending on personal risk factors.
The International Lipid Expert Panel recommends a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing muscle symptoms caused by statins. The 'nocebo/drucebo' effect, where patients experience side effects due to expectation, affects up to 70% of diagnosed statin intolerance cases.
Researchers have found that statins can inhibit the formation of tumors and metastases in animals with increased MACC1 expression. A study analyzing data from over 300,000 patients prescribed statins also showed a correlation between statin use and reduced cancer incidence.
A new study found that statin intolerance is over-estimated, affecting only 6-10% of patients worldwide. Researchers identified risk factors for statin intolerance, including age, sex, ethnicity, and medical conditions.
A new generation of cholesterol-lowering drugs is being developed to target the PCSK9 protein, which regulates LDL receptor degradation on cells. These therapies have shown promise in reducing LDL levels with fewer side effects than statins.
Research shows that common medicines have distinct effects on gut bacteria, with some having beneficial and others detrimental impacts. The study found associations between certain medications and changes to the gut microbiome, particularly with statins and gastric acid medication.
A study at Tampere University in Finland found that statin users had lower rates of low-risk prostate cancers detected through screening, but no difference in high-risk cancer detection. Statin use also reduced prostate cancer mortality in screened men compared to unscreened men.
A recent study from George Mason University found that introducing generic statin medications can reduce prices by up to 95% when six or more generic competitors exist. The study reveals average annual cost savings per individual of $211.9 for out-of-pocket, translating to an $11.9 billion savings for the US.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that patients with type 2 diabetes often do not receive adequate cholesterol-lowering treatment, despite guidelines recommending statin prescriptions for elevated LDL-C levels. Women tend to have higher average LDL-C levels and receive less statin treatment than men.
A new study found that GPs could have saved £2.7 billion for the NHS by prescribing cheaper statin alternatives between 2004 and 2012. If all existing patients on more expensive treatment had been switched, potential savings would increase to nearly half of total costs.
A recent study of 17,000 young adults aged 20-39 found that fewer than half were prescribed lipid-lowering therapy despite having persistently high LDL-C levels, highlighting the need for improved management strategies.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study suggests that statin use is not beneficial for reducing COVID-19 mortality or severity. Instead, patients taking statins had an increased risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. The researchers found no significant impact on mortality rates.
A large observational study found statin use associated with faster diabetes progression in patients with diabetes. The study included 83,000 matched pairs and followed them for an average of 2 years.
A combination therapy of aspirin, statins, and at least two blood pressure medications cuts the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease by over half. The treatment strategy, known as a polypill, is consistent in benefits across different blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and diabetes status.
A significant association was found between statin use and improved outcomes in women with stage I-III triple-negative breast cancer. Statin use was associated with a 58% relative improvement in breast cancer-specific survival and a 30% relative improvement in overall survival.
The American College of Cardiology has issued clinical guidance on reducing ASCVD risk in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia, recommending lifestyle intervention and non-statin therapies. The guidance emphasizes the importance of individualized nutrition guidance for these patients.
A large systematic review and meta-analysis of statin use in healthy adults found a generally favorable benefit-to-harm balance. The study, published in the BMJ, suggests that the potential harms of statins are small and should not deter their use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
People of South Asian and African/African Caribbean ethnicity are less likely to be prescribed guideline-indicated statins for type 2 diabetes, a finding that could prevent up to 12,600 heart attacks and strokes in the UK. The study suggests that targeted education and prescribing interventions may help address these disparities.
A recent study found that statin use among patients with heart failure is associated with a 16% lower risk of developing cancer and a 26% reduced risk of dying from cancer over an average of four years. The longer patients remained on statins, the greater the reduction in their cancer risk.
A new study found that statin therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial and found no significant difference in the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment between statin users and non-...