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Increased doses of statins improve survival in cardiovascular disease
Higher doses of cholesterol-lowering statins seem to lead to greater survival in the elderly. Researchers found that the drug enhances the survival of patients over the age of 75 with various forms of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Stanford University's School of Medicine in Palo Alto found in their study that so-called statins lead to a slightly improved survival rate in people with cardiovascular disease. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "JAMA Cardiology".
Many older people suffer from cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that high-intensity statin therapy improves survival for those over 75 years of age. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com) High doses of statins can increase the likelihood of survival by 9 percent
The study included more than 509,000 patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease. The experts found that survival was increased by 9 percent when participants took high doses of statins over a period of more than one year.
What is a high-intensity statin therapy?
A so-called high-intensity statin therapy usually contains 40 to 80 mg atorvastatin (Lipitor) or 20 to 40 mg rosuvastatin (Crestor). By contrast, moderate doses would be, for example, 10 to 20 mg of Lipitor and 5 to 10 mg of Crestor, the authors explain.
Study also includes people over the age of 75 years
In contrast to some previous studies, the current study also included adults over the age of 75, the researchers explain. The results of the study show that people over the age of 75 have health benefits from high doses of statins compared to taking moderate doses, says author Dr. Fatima Rodriguez of Stanford University.
After a cardiovascular event you should take high doses of statins
If you have already had a negative cardiovascular event, you should do a high-intensity statin therapy, experts suggest. You should be on the highest dose of statins your body can tolerate, adds the physician.
Older recommendations were for people under the age of 75
As early as 2013, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommended as a risk-based strategy that people under the age of 75 with congested arteries and cardiovascular disease should take high doses of statins. So far, however, there have only been limited indications about the benefits of statins in people over the age of 75 years.
Investigation involved over 500,000 subjects
The current study involved nearly 500,000 men and about 10,000 women. Their median age at the beginning of the study was 68.5 years, say the physicians. About 30 percent of the study participants received a high-dose statin therapy. About 45 percent were on a moderate dose of statins. A further 18 percent of the participants did not take any statins at all, explain the experts. The new study looked at which therapy is best when someone has heart problems.
What do Statins do??
Statins lower the bad cholesterol called LDL Rodriguez. In addition, the drug also reduces inflammation and plaque and leads to an improvement in the health of the heart, adds the expert.
Further research is needed
The study provides convincing evidence that statins can reduce mortality. The reduction is greater when a so-called high-intensity statin therapy is performed, explain the authors. The new results are likely to be of interest to people over the age of 75, if they have already experienced cardiovascular disease. The current study should trigger further studies on the topic, Dr. Rodriguez. (As)