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Heart drugs 'have longer effect' | |
(21 minutes later) | |
The cholesterol-lowering drugs statins can provide protection against heart disease years after patients stop taking them, a study has found. | The cholesterol-lowering drugs statins can provide protection against heart disease years after patients stop taking them, a study has found. |
The drugs can reduce the risk of heart attacks by a quarter in men, according to the report's lead author. | The drugs can reduce the risk of heart attacks by a quarter in men, according to the report's lead author. |
The University of Glasgow study found long-term benefits in taking statins. | The University of Glasgow study found long-term benefits in taking statins. |
People taking the drug for five years were still experiencing the benefits 10 years after they stopped taking them, with a reduced risk of heart disease. | People taking the drug for five years were still experiencing the benefits 10 years after they stopped taking them, with a reduced risk of heart disease. |
Professor Stuart Cobbe, the leading cardiologist on the study, said: "We were very surprised to find patients who had been treated for five years with a statin continued to have significantly fewer heart attacks and other coronary events compared to those treated with a placebo treatment. | Professor Stuart Cobbe, the leading cardiologist on the study, said: "We were very surprised to find patients who had been treated for five years with a statin continued to have significantly fewer heart attacks and other coronary events compared to those treated with a placebo treatment. |
"This benefit appeared to extend at least 10 years after the original trial. | "This benefit appeared to extend at least 10 years after the original trial. |
"These results are very reassuring for patients who might be concerned about safety when taking a drug for a very long period of time." | "These results are very reassuring for patients who might be concerned about safety when taking a drug for a very long period of time." |
Slowing development | Slowing development |
The 15 year-West of Scotland Coronary Prevention study involved 6,595 men from the region, with an average age of 55, who had high cholesterol. | The 15 year-West of Scotland Coronary Prevention study involved 6,595 men from the region, with an average age of 55, who had high cholesterol. |
They were recruited between 1989 and 1991 and split in half, with one group given a placebo and the other half given pravastatin. | They were recruited between 1989 and 1991 and split in half, with one group given a placebo and the other half given pravastatin. |
Their health was followed for five years, until 1995, with the results showing that the statin users had a lower risk of strokes and heart disease. | Their health was followed for five years, until 1995, with the results showing that the statin users had a lower risk of strokes and heart disease. |
The latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examined the group 10 and 15 years later. | The latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examined the group 10 and 15 years later. |
It found that there was a "significant" reduction in coronary problems for people who had taken statins for five years. | It found that there was a "significant" reduction in coronary problems for people who had taken statins for five years. |
Professor Ian Ford, lead author of the study, said: "In fact, remarkably, five years of treatment with a statin resulted in 27% fewer non-fatal heart attacks or deaths due to heart disease over the period of 15 years. | Professor Ian Ford, lead author of the study, said: "In fact, remarkably, five years of treatment with a statin resulted in 27% fewer non-fatal heart attacks or deaths due to heart disease over the period of 15 years. |
"There was a significant 12% reduction in deaths over the entire period, with deaths due to heart disease reduced by 22%. | "There was a significant 12% reduction in deaths over the entire period, with deaths due to heart disease reduced by 22%. |
"This suggests that statin treatment has a long-term beneficial effect in slowing the development of coronary artery disease." | "This suggests that statin treatment has a long-term beneficial effect in slowing the development of coronary artery disease." |
Professor Peter Weissberg of the British Heart Foundation said: "This research provides yet more evidence that statins help prevent heart attacks, and therefore save lives." | |
Statins are taken by an estimated three million people in the UK. | Statins are taken by an estimated three million people in the UK. |
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