I at first became nervous that I had been doing the wrong thing (by taking statins for seven years) when I read this new report that inflammation–measured by something called C-reactive protein or CRP–is more important than cholesterol as an indicator of heart disease, but… zounds… further on I found…
CRP levels were controlled in study participants with high doses of the widely-prescribed statin drugs we know are effective in controlling LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. So statins now appear to be useful in fighting heart disease on two fronts.
All this and Alzheimer’s too!… Of course, the article notes: Other methods that have been shown to lower levels of CRP include maintaining a good diet, exercising, losing weight and quitting smoking. But we won’t worry too much about that.
Great news for some. Unfortunately, I am one of the unlucky ones who suffers from the side effects of statin drugs. I’ve tried them all and the leg muscle pain becomes unbearable. My cholesterol went down 50 pts. but I could barely walk to the bathroom in the morning. Not a good trade-off.
Roger,
It is good to know that statins are good for so many conditions,if only I could remember to take them.
Thanks Roger, a very timely report for me since I just had my chest cracked 10 days ago and a triple by-pass performed. I am one who has eaten a fairly healthy regimin and excercised all his life but apparently genetics played a more important role. I’m now starting on Zocor.
Jim:
In a way, this may be good news. If inflamation is more important than cholesterol in the pathology of heart disease, you may be able to get the lion’s share of the benefits with alternative anti-inflammatory, C-Reactive Protein-reducing drugs like aspirin.
Oh, and in case you were thinking of changing your health habits based on what some anonymous commenter wrote – Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor!
Roger,
You are right to question the products of the pharma industry nowadays, they may not have our best interests at heart.:–)
LA Times (last week) ran an very thorough investigative piece on the NIH and their compromised medical ethics of late that may have more to do with whose money is flowing into their pockets.
But there is a much bigger story related to NIH we are pushing into the Blogos to fire off a debate on DOD’s Lil Shoppe of Horrors and their anthrax vaccine. The actual risk of exposure from a legit bio attack may be a “much a due about nothing.” Now smallpox is an entirely different story.
See our ad running on Blackfive and the Drudge Retort (Yeah this is a spoof on the Drudge Report but the rates are reasonable. So are your’s we may buy an ad here too).
See comment on this developing story in a post at the Drudge Retort (Sorry – no hook to actual comment but it’s within the first five):
Drudge Retort
Morgan,
I do use the aspirin (when I remember to take it) and my doctor is now touting a newer cholesterol-lowering drug called Zetia. It works through the intestine, rather than the liver and supposedly has no side effects like muscle pain. We’ll see, but I’m wary. I just don’t want to feel like 46 going on 86 again.
That’s interesting about Zetia. Good to know. I’m currently on Zocor (and overdue for my annual liver test.)
As I understand it, Zocor etc. work through the liver because the liver manufactures cholesterol. They fool the liver into thinking it doesn’t have to make as much.
If Zetia works in the intestines, rather than the liver, I assume it reduces the cholesterol that is ingested (rather than manufactured by your body).