Astonishing statins study shows dramatic heart attack reduction

William Atkins
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 06:52

Science - Health

The results from the study showed that after 1.9 years the rosuvastatin reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 50% and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels by 37%.

In addition, the researchers stated that the combined risk of a “heart attack, stroke, hospital admission for chest pain or death from cardiovascular disease” was reduced by 44%.

Separately, the risk of heart attack was reduced by 54%, risk of stroke cut by 48%, and total death (mortality) was reduced by 20%.

The researchers concluded that rosuvastatin “significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events” in apparently healthy people without hyperlipidemia but with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.

British general practitioner Terry McCormack, also a former chairperson of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society in the United Kingdom, said the results were "astonishing" and much more decisive than he would have expected. [BBC News: “Statin use 'may benefit healthy'”]

The study was part of the JUPITER study, where JUPITER is short for Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastain. JUPITER was a long-duration study of 18,802 people by AstraZeneca’s GALAXY clinical trials program.

Is statins for everyone? Read the November 10, 2008 U.S. News and World Report article "Interpreting JUPITER: Statins for Everyone?", by its health editor Dr. Bernadine Healy.

She states, "For men over 50 and women over 60, the results suggested, a blood test for C-reactive protein or CRP that signals low-grade inflammation in the body could dramatically reduce the risk of first time heart attacks, strokes, and other artery problems in apparently healthy people if an abnormal CRP level triggers continuous intensive statin therapy. In this study, the statin of choice was Crestor."

In part of the article, Healy makes the comment, "It sounds easy, if not breathtaking. But I'm [Dr. Healy] inclined to line up with those who say, 'slow down.' Before doctors translate what are undoubtedly important scientific findings into an enthusiasm for placing 6 million people on a strong drug forever, JUPITER needs to provide further analysis of what on closer look is a highly varied group of patients carrying a wide range of health risks."

Dr. Healy concludes, "If you're healthy, the question to ask your doctor before starting on intensive therapy for prevention is just what your own personal risk of a heart attack or stroke might be. If you are truly healthy, and it boils down to a 1.5 percent chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years, cutting the risk in half means 0.75 percent. In neither case are you likely to be in significant danger. Before swallowing the first pill, remember that that computes to improving the odds of not having a heart attack or stroke from 98.5 percent to 99.3 percent. The choice is yours."