Tag Archives: statin

Introduction Hypercholesterolaemia, characterised by elevated serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is a crucial factor for atherosclerosis and for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The hepatic protease proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) targets LDL-receptors for destruction.1,2 Removal of LDL from the blood stream is aided by increased expression of LDL-receptors.3 Statins have been proven to effectively lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and reduce CVD events in many high cardiovascular risk cohorts via 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibition. However, a

Cholesterol lowering significantly reduces stroke in the elderly Use of cholesterol lowering drugs (statins and fibrates) is associated with a one third lower risk of stroke in older adults without previous disease, finds a study published in the BMJ. A research team based in France set out to determine the association between use of lipid-lowering drugs in healthy older people and long-term risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. They tracked 7,484 men and women (average age 74 years) with no known history of vascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, living in three French cities (Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier). After an aver

This supplement is a report from the inaugural meeting of the Cardiometabolic Forum, jointly organised by the British Journal of Cardiology and HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity. The meeting was held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London, on 24th November 2011. Meeting chairs were Dr Dermot Neely (Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne) for HEART UK, and Dr Henry Purcell (Royal Brompton Hospital, London, and Editor) for BJC. We hope this supplement will provide readers with an independent overview on recent developments in our knowledge of cholesterol metabolism and its implications for clinical practice. Speakers Dermot Neely

Statins represent the cornerstone of treatment in guidelines for lipid management.1 The clinical benefits have been confirmed by meta-analysis of major prospective studies which showed that statins reduced cardiovascular risk by about one fifth per mmol/L reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, largely irrespective of the initial lipid profile, the presence of diabetes, or other presenting characteristics.2,3 More intensive regimens produced further incremental benefit, compared with conventional-dose statin therapy.4 Among patients at higher risk, such as those with pre-existing coronary heart disease (CHD) or with diabetes,

Introduction It is estimated that 2.5 million patients in the UK currently take statin drugs for both primary and secondary prevention of vascular disease, and this number is likely to rise substantially with the lowering of treatment thresholds.1 As an increasing number of patients become eligible for lipid-lowering treatment, there is an increasing number who appear to be intolerant to individual statins. Indeed, though statins are known to be well tolerated and safe as elucidated in clinical trials, in the real world the incidence of statin intolerance due to non-severe side effects may well be underestimated.2,3 Since differences in the k

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