Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : A US National Health Care System? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (19188)	9/4/2010 12:23:35 PM
From: J_F_Shepard	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42652

That research indicates that we all shave our heads regularly....gg

To: Lane3 who wrote (19188)	9/5/2010 2:31:21 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42652

Are Most Statin Prescriptions a Waste of Money? Friday, July 16, 2010 at 7:08 AM \| posted by Steve Parker, M.D. A recent medical journal article suggests that many prescriptions for statin drugs are indeed worthless, at least in terms of preventing premature death in otherwise healthy people. Statin drugs - such as Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor - reduce the odds of death (from any cause) in people who have an established diagnosis of coronary heart disease (clogged heart arteries). Use of statins in these folks is called secondary prevention. But three of every four prescriptions for statins are taken by people who don't yet have heart disease, in an effort to prevent heart attacks and death. This is primary prevention. Most users have LDL cholesterol levels in excess of published treatment guidelines. A multi-national band of researchers wondered if statin therapy reduced death rates when used as primary prevention. Previous studies were mixed or inconclusive. They looked closely at the results of statin therapy (versus placebo) in 11 studies involving over 65,000 men and women between 50 and 80 years old. Average follow-up was 3.7 years. A variety of different statins were used. Remember, these study participants had no evidence of clogged heart arteries at the time of entry into the study. What Did They Find? The statin users had the same risk of death as the people on placebo. In other words, taking a statin pill daily for over three years had no protective effect against death. [BTW, 2800 study participants died.] Average baseline LDL cholesterol levels were 138 mg/dl. Statin users dropped their average LDL levels to 94 mg/dl, whereas placebo-takers held steady. The researchers had no comment on whether certain statins were better than others, nor whether heart attacks or strokes were reduced. Those issues were not the focus of the study. How Do We Use This Information? This study raises good questions for which we have no clear answers in 2010. Could certain statins reduce death rates in primary prevention while others don't? [There are at least six statins on the market.] Would a longer span of treatment show a longevity benefit? Did the statin users have lower rates of nonfatal heart attack and stroke (or other health benefits) that improved their quality of life while not prolonging it? The answers are, "Yes, maybe . . . maybe not." If my doctor had me taking a statin for primary prevention, I'd copy this blog post and mail it to her with a note: "Can we talk about this at our next visit?" Consider focusing on proven heart disease primary prevention strategies: a Mediterranean-style diet, regular exercise, avoid excess weight, and don't smoke. Search the NutritionData.com website and you'll find plenty of useful implementation tips. Steve Parker, M.D. Reference: Ray, Kausik, et al. Statins and all-cause mortality in high-risk primary prevention. Archives of Internal Medicine, 170 (2010): 1,024-1,031. Steve Parker, M.D., is a practicing physician and the author of "The Advanced Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight, Feel Better, Live Longer."