Articles tagged with Statins
Researchers found that statins reduced the risk of infections in stroke patients by 58%, particularly when administered early. The study controlled for various factors, including severity of strokes and age, and suggested that anti-inflammatory properties may play a role.
Researchers suggest statins could shield unborn babies from maternal stress, promoting normal heart development and growth. Studies in mice found that treating mothers with statins stimulates blood vessel growth, reducing the risk of health problems later life.
A new study suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can reduce the burden of infection in Lyme disease reservoir hosts, potentially leading to a decrease in human cases. Researchers hope to modify statins to primarily affect the survival of Lyme disease bacteria.
Researchers found that PAD patients taking high-dose statins had a 33% lower risk of amputation and 29% lower risk of death compared to those taking no statins. Low-to-moderate dose statin users also showed significant reductions in these risks, with benefits evident across different statin doses.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital identifies four factors contributing to sex disparities in statin therapy among patients with coronary artery disease. Women were less likely to start or continue statin therapy due to lower cardiologist evaluations and higher rates of adverse reaction reports.
A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that nearly half of coronary artery bypass patients are not taking statins and aspirin together, increasing risk of vein graft occlusion. This suggests a lack of coordination between healthcare providers and patients in adhering to long-term prevention measures.
A large case-control study suggests that high cholesterol levels, rather than statin use, may influence the risk of colorectal cancer. The study found an inverse relationship between blood cholesterol levels and colorectal cancer risk, with higher cholesterol levels associated with lower risk.
A large case-control study found that statin use is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but the difference in risk between statin users and non-users was not significant. Increased serum cholesterol levels were also independently linked to decreased risk of colorectal cancer.
A review of clinical evidence concludes that individualized preventive cardiovascular therapy is crucial for older adults, with cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-controlling treatments being the most effective. The target systolic blood pressure should be individualized based on frailty and comorbidities.
Researchers identified ezetimibe and evolocumab as effective alternatives for patients with muscle-related statin intolerance, demonstrating significant reductions in LDL-C levels. The study suggests that both drugs can be administered successfully in such patients, although with varying efficacy.
A new study by the Cleveland Clinic has identified statin intolerance objectively, showing that evolocumab is a more effective option for lowering cholesterol in patients who are intolerant to multiple statins. The PCSK9 inhibitor reduced cholesterol levels by 52.8%, while ezetimibe had a smaller reduction of 16.7%.
A recent clinical trial provides objective evidence of muscle-related side effects associated with statins. Evolocumab was found to be superior to ezetimibe in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study's findings have significant implications for treating patients with statin intolerance.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that taking statins and antihypertensives can reduce cardiovascular disease events by 25-30% in patients at intermediate risk. The research also suggests that combining these medications can be an effective way to prevent heart attacks and strokes globally.
Researchers found that adding statins to standard drug treatment reduced the time to clear tuberculosis infection by 35% in infected mice. The study suggests that repurposing statin drugs could accelerate TB treatment and improve public health outcomes.
A new approach to determining statin eligibility could improve prevention of heart disease, especially in younger individuals. The research team found that targeting statin treatment to this group would prevent an additional 266,000 heart attacks and strokes over 10 years.
A study published in JAMA found that high-dose statin treatment before and after cardiac surgery did not reduce the risk of acute kidney injury, contradicting previous studies. The research suggests that patients undergoing cardiac surgery may be at increased risk of AKI if taking statins.
Researchers found that high-dose atorvastatin regresses lipid deposits and improves visual acuity without progression to advanced disease in dry AMD patients. This potential therapy offers a new avenue for treating the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that statins can help reverse the process leading to vascular injury in people with sleep apnea. By reducing inflammation and preserving CD59 on cell surfaces, statins may lower the risk of heart disease in these individuals.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that statins increased overall survival among late-stage SCLC patients, while other medications showed no benefit. Radiotherapy was also identified as an independent predictor of survival.
A University of Eastern Finland study found that small gallstones are often caused by idiopathic pancreatitis and can be prevented by laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. Statin use was also associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis, especially during the first year of use.
A multicenter clinical study found that pravastatin reduced the occurrence of strokes and specific vascular events, while no difference was observed for other stroke subtypes. The study's results contribute to the establishment of guidelines for statin use in preventing strokes caused by larger artery atherosclerosis.
Researchers found a strong association between negative news stories about statins and early discontinuation, increasing the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular mortality. The study suggests that exposure to negative news can play a role in patients' decisions to stop taking their medication.
A new vaccine has shown promise in reducing 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels in mice and macaques, suggesting potential as an alternative to statins. The vaccine targets the PCSK9 protein, which regulates cholesterol levels in the blood, offering a more powerful treatment with fewer side effects.
According to a study of 16,415 U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults, only one-third to one-half are eligible for and receiving statin therapy, highlighting a significant undertreatment gap.
Patients who took cholesterol-lowering medication before endovascular aortic aneurysm surgery experienced fewer complications and better outcomes. Statin use was associated with a 26% decrease in mortality up to one year after surgery.
Researchers found that statins may hinder immune response to flu vaccine and lower vaccine effectiveness in older adults, suggesting potential implications for flu vaccine recommendations and guidelines. The studies analyzed data from nearly 7,000 adults over 65 in four countries, including the US.
Researchers discovered that statins can help prevent acute kidney injury by suppressing inflammation and regulating blood vessel thickness, thanks to the presence of KLF4 protein in endothelial cells. The study found that treating mice with statins protects against AKI, and loss of KLF4 exacerbates the condition.
A $13.18 million NIH grant will enable Dr. Krauss and his colleagues to identify genetic determinants of statin efficacy and risk for adverse effects. The research program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic tools.
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Health Science University have identified a new approach to lowering harmful lipids in blood circulation. The study found that LPCAT3 enzyme deficiency reduces lipid absorption and decreases levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids in the bloodstream.
A new study found that treatment with life-saving medications has increased significantly in ischemic heart disease, but levels are still suboptimal. The study also revealed that patients with peripheral artery disease receive fewer recommended medications and have more comorbidities than others.
Researchers found that statins yield an off-target reaction disrupting muscle mitochondria function, causing muscle pain and weakness. The lactone form of statins is more potent at disturbing mitochondrial function than its acid form.
The VISION Study found that preoperative statin use is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality after noncardiac surgery. Statins were shown to be associated with a 17% reduction in cardiac complications and a 43% reduction in mortality.
Researchers found that ezetimibe, when added to a statin, significantly reduced the risk of future ischemic stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death in patients with diabetes who had an acute coronary syndrome. Ezetimibe also lowered LDL-cholesterol levels by 43mg/dL after one year.
A subgroup analysis of the IMPROVE-IT trial found that ezetimibe significantly reduced the chances of future major cardiac or vascular events in patients with diabetes by 14% compared to placebo. Ezetimibe added to a statin lowered LDL cholesterol at 1 year, resulting in lower risks of cardiovascular events.
The use of statins for primary prevention in patients without vascular disease older than 79 increased between 1999 and 2012. The proportion of patients using atorvastatin peaked in 2005-2006 and declined, while simvastatin usage rose after 2007-2008.
Researchers found that coadministering statins with ezetimibe significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels and plaque buildup in heart disease patients. The study showed a 40% lower cholesterol level and greater plaque regression compared to single-drug therapies.
A new Penn study found that internal medicine residents are twice as likely to prescribe expensive brand-name statins when supervised by senior physicians who also use them. The study's findings represent an opportunity to improve value in healthcare spending and highlight the importance of redesigning graduate medical education.
The 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines outperform the 2004 ATP III guidelines in identifying increased risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical coronary artery disease. Statin treatment eligibility is higher among those applying the new guidelines, leading to a significant reduction in CVD events.
The new ACC/AHA guidelines for statin eligibility better predict cardiovascular risk by considering coronary artery plaque levels. The guidelines were found to identify adults at higher risk more accurately than previous guidelines, leading to a potential reduction of 41,000 to 63,000 cardiovascular events over 10 years.
A study examines the cost-effectiveness of new cholesterol guidelines, finding that a more lenient threshold may be cost-effective. The analysis suggests that shifting from a 7.5% ASCVD risk threshold to 3-4% thresholds could avert up to 160,000 cardiovascular events.
A new study suggests that treating 48-67% of all adults aged 40-75 in the US with cholesterol-lowering statins would be a cost-effective way to reduce cardiovascular-related events. The researchers found that more lenient treatment thresholds could avert an additional 125,000-160,000 CVD-events.
A recent study found that statins can decrease aggression in men, while increasing it in postmenopausal women. The effects on testosterone and sleep levels also played a role in the observed changes.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that statin therapy may reduce major complications after lung surgery. The study showed a significant reduction in postoperative complications, including pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis, but not in atrial fibrillation rates or inflammatory markers.
A study by the University of Sydney found that an ABC TV program questioning the link between cholesterol and heart disease resulted in 14,000 fewer people taking statins per week. The program's impact was seen in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, potentially leading to preventable heart attacks and strokes.
A large study of nearly one million patients found that statin drugs do not likely cause short-term memory loss. Statins have been reported to cause memory lapses by some users, leading to their cessation, but the study suggests this is due to detection bias rather than a true effect of the drug.
Research found that preoperative statin use significantly reduces the risk of death after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The study, published recently, evaluated data from over 16,000 patients and showed a protective effect of statins on perioperative mortality.
A study published in The BMJ found that cholesterol-lowering drugs are associated with a 30% lower risk of stroke in healthy older adults. No association was found between drug use and coronary heart disease, but the results suggest that lipid-lowering drugs might be considered for preventing stroke in older populations.
Research suggests that statin use may delay resistance to androgen deprivation therapy in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Statins block the uptake of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a precursor of testosterone, thereby prolonging time to disease progression.
A large study of Tricare patients found that statin users were 87% more likely to develop diabetes and had a higher risk of complications. The study confirms past findings on the link between statins and diabetes risk, but is among the first to show this connection in a relatively healthy population.
Men who took statin drugs while receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer had a longer disease control period compared to those who didn't take statins. The study found that statins could delay disease progression by reducing the tumor's available androgen pool.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology & Biomarkers & Prevention found that prolonged statin use after a lung cancer diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk of dying from lung cancer. Patients who used at least 12 prescriptions of statins had a 19% lower risk of lung cancer-specific deaths.
A new study suggests statins could be a cost-effective tool for preventing heart attacks and other cardiovascular incidents in adults over age 75. However, potential side effects such as muscle weakness and cognitive impairment need to be considered.
A new study found that statins can help prevent heart disease in older adults but may cause muscle pain, weakness, and mild cognitive impairment. The study suggests that the benefits of statin use may be offset by these side effects, particularly in geriatric populations.
Pediatric cholesterol guidelines recommend statin treatment for individuals with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Using these guidelines for teenagers aged 17-21 would lead to an additional 400,000 young people being prescribed statins compared to adult guidelines.
A Johns Hopkins report provides clinicians with concrete tips to help patients decide whether to take statins, balancing benefits and risks. The report emphasizes the importance of individualized advice, clear explanation of benefits and risks, and shared decision-making.
A new study suggests discontinuing statins in patients with life-limiting illness can improve quality of life without adverse health effects. The study found no significant differences in mortality between those who continued and discontinued statin therapy.
A Swedish population study found that hormone therapy combined with statins significantly lowered the risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The study compared over 40,000 women who took statins with those who used hormone therapy alone or had no treatment.
Research suggests rosuvastatin's health benefits are weak and its side effects, such as increased diabetes risk, outweigh the advantages. The drug's approval was based on a study that may have overestimated treatment effects.
Patients taking evolocumab, a new class of cholesterol-lowering medications, were half as likely to die or experience a heart attack/stroke compared to those on standard care. The study found that patients treated with evolocumab had significantly lower rates of cardiovascular events and adverse effects.
Current statin guidelines may exclude middle-aged adults who could benefit from the drugs and over-prescribe in older adults. Researchers propose adjusting the guidelines to capture more middle-aged adults with premature heart disease and prevent unnecessary medication for many seniors.