Take Statin Drugs Sooner Rather Than Later
Statin drugs may be more effective if begun within 14 days of the onset of acute coronary syndrome instead of waiting months.
Early statin therapy following acute coronary syndrome does not reduce the risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke during the next four months, according to a meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials.
But statin therapy within 14 days of acute coronary syndrome onset reduces the risk of unstable angina by 19%, the researchers reported in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Pravachol (pravastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin) were all considered in this metanalysis. Researchers believe that patients are more likely to continue taking the statins as prescribed if they began the therapy while in hospital. They also think patients may not begin to show improvement on statins for as long as one to two years.
Discuss with your doctor all the possible ways to lower your cholesterol through lifestyle changes and drug therapy. What works well for someone else may not work as well for you.
MedPage Today, May 2, 2006
Technorati Tags: statins, pravachol, lipitor, lescol, zocor, lipids, cholesterol, heart disease, coronary syndrome, coronary, cardiovascular disease, cvd, disease, health
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POSTED IN: Heart Drugs
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