Drug That Lowers Cholesterol May Also Prevent Strokes
Drug That Lowers Cholesterol May Also Prevent Strokes
Over the six years, strokes occurred in 4.5% of the placebo group compared with 3.7% of the Pravachol group. Compared with those taking the dummy pill, those on Pravachol also had over 20% reduced risk of dying from heart disease or any other cause.
During the first five years of therapy, total cholesterol levels in the those patients taking Pravachol also decreased by 18%, "bad" LDL cholesterol decreased by 27%, triglycerides -- another fat which circulates in the blood -- decreased by 6%, and "good" HDL cholesterol increased by 4%.
Most of the research on preventing strokes has been done in patients with heart disease who have high cholesterol, but researchers say given the good results, it may now be OK to give statins to people with a heart disease history who don't have what would be considered high cholesterol.
Kirschner adds there is a risk for bleeding in the brain in people with very low cholesterol who take statins, but he says people with normal cholesterol levels can probably safely take the drugs if their risk of stroke is high enough to warrant it.
Drug That Lowers Cholesterol May Also Prevent Strokes
Over the six years, strokes occurred in 4.5% of the placebo group compared with 3.7% of the Pravachol group. Compared with those taking the dummy pill, those on Pravachol also had over 20% reduced risk of dying from heart disease or any other cause.
During the first five years of therapy, total cholesterol levels in the those patients taking Pravachol also decreased by 18%, "bad" LDL cholesterol decreased by 27%, triglycerides -- another fat which circulates in the blood -- decreased by 6%, and "good" HDL cholesterol increased by 4%.
Most of the research on preventing strokes has been done in patients with heart disease who have high cholesterol, but researchers say given the good results, it may now be OK to give statins to people with a heart disease history who don't have what would be considered high cholesterol.
Kirschner adds there is a risk for bleeding in the brain in people with very low cholesterol who take statins, but he says people with normal cholesterol levels can probably safely take the drugs if their risk of stroke is high enough to warrant it.
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