There is a link between ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C) and leading to poor health outcomes such as heart attack and stroke, according to a new study from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The study’s findings were published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.Also read – 10 Things Indian Women Should Do to Protect Their Hearts
Research questions the effectiveness of statins when prescribed with the aim of reducing LDL-C and therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Also read – Studies show how daily activities can help reduce the risk of heart disease in older women
Previous research has suggested that using statins to reduce LDL-C has a positive effect on health outcomes, and this is reflected in various revisions of expert guidelines for the prevention of CVD. Statins are now commonly prescribed by doctors, according to previous research, one-third of Irish adults over the age of 50 take statins. Also read – Is Covid-19 dangerous for people dealing with heart disease? Does it drive the rate of heart attack? You need to know – see
New findings contradict this theory, finding that the relationship is not as strong as previously thought. Instead, research has shown that reducing LDL-C using statins had inconsistent and inconclusive effects on CVD outcomes such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality.
Furthermore, it suggests that the overall benefit of taking statins may be small and varies depending on the individual’s individual risk factors.
The lead author of the paper is Dr. K.S. Paula is Byron. Commenting on the findings, Dr. “The message has long been that lowering your cholesterol will lower your risk of heart disease, and those statins help achieve that,” Byrne said. However, our research suggests that, in reality, the benefits of taking statins are varied and may be quite modest. “
Researchers suggest that this updated information should be communicated to patients through informed clinical decision making and updated clinical guidelines and policy.
This important discovery was made by RCSI Professor Susan M. Smith and researchers from the University of New Mexico in the USA (Dr. Robert Dubroff), the Institute for Scientific Freedom in Denmark (Dr. Marianne Demasi), Bond University in Australia. (Dr. Mark Jones) and independent researcher Dr. Kirsty O’Brien.
(With ANI inputs)
