British experts have linked the use of statins (drugs that lower blood cholesterol) with a two-fold reduction in mortality from heart attacks over the past decade. Based on the results of a new study, they came to the conclusion that the role of the drug in the countries with the highest level of its use can be estimated by millions of saved lives.
Specialists from the British Heart Fund found that between 2002 and 2010 in England, the rate of mortality from heart attacks among women decreased from 37.7 to 17.7, and for men from 78.7 to 39.2. In scale, these changes can also be applied to most other developed countries, scientists say.
The director of the foundation, Professor Peter Wessburg, says: “In recent years, about 50% of people, according to our data, have escaped death due to heart problems. In cases of primary and secondary interventions, the main merit in this belongs to statins, although, besides them, there were also other factors that contributed to the decrease in mortality, such as a healthy lifestyle or taking additional medications. "
"The decrease in the number of deaths from heart attacks has actually occurred since the beginning of the 90s, but initially it was not as significant as 10 years later when statins became prevalent in the world. Before that, we did not have such effective and, moreover, safe drugs," adds Professor Wessburg.
The scientist also warned that people taking simultaneously with statins and other medications designed to reduce blood pressure are at a greater risk of side effects of the drug (insomnia, headaches and muscle pains, decreased sensitivity of arms and legs).
