New Study Finds: Crestor Reversed Heart Disease
Have you been concerned about the well-being of your heart? Well, Now you can leave it to Crestor. For the first time in history, this statin has done what no other medication before. Recent studies reveal that it’s not just about lowering cholesterol levels anymore – Crestor has gone a step further. Led by Steven Nissen, a renowned cardiologist from the Cleveland Clinic, this research shows that Crestor tablets can actually reverse heart disease, reducing cholesterol by more than half (over 50%). This remarkable study was sponsored by AstraZeneca, the maker of this drug. Further in this discussion, we’ll know more about the study and its findings while understanding other important aspects of this medication.
How Crestor Helped in Reversing Artery Plaque Buildup?
Dr. Nissen and his team decided to take a bold step with more than 500 patients who had clogged arteries. Instead of the standard 10 mg, they administered a 40 mg Crestor. They used advanced technology, specifically tiny ultrasound probes, to take a closer look at the arteries’ walls, measuring the plaque before and after patients were treated with Crestor. After two years of being on this medication, something remarkable happened. The patients experienced a reduction in artery plaque by seven to nine percent.
Now, you might think that’s a slight improvement. However, considering plaque builds up over many years, what this really means, as Dr. Nissen explains, is that they managed to roll back years of plaque accumulation. Since it’s this very plaque that can lead to heart attacks and strokes, by reducing it, they’re essentially cutting down the root cause of these severe health issues.
One of the participants, Joel Silvey, had a personal reason to celebrate the findings. With a family history of heart disease—his father passed away from a heart attack at 65—learning that Crestor effectively halted further plaque buildup was, without a doubt, fantastic news for him. This outcome not only highlighted the drug’s effectiveness but also offered a new lease on life for many like Joel, knowing they’re actively combating the progression of heart disease.
What Are the Concerns Surrounding Crestor?
Now, let’s address some of the concerns surrounding Crestor. While it’s celebrated for its potency, this same strength brings about a fair share of debate. According to Elizabeth Kaledin, CBS News’ medical correspondent, Crestor holds the title of the most powerful statin available, but it also comes with a higher risk of side effects. These can include damage to muscles, liver, and kidneys. There’s a lingering worry that taking high doses of this drug might lead to more severe issues in the long run. However, it’s worth noting that none of the participants in this particular study reported any adverse effects.
The individuals in the study managed to get their “bad cholesterol” levels to unprecedented lows, leading to a decrease in blockages within their blood vessels. While it’s still too early to conclusively say whether this reduction in artery deposits will translate to fewer heart attacks, the medical community is buzzing with excitement over the potential.
Dr. Steven Nissen, the driving force behind this nationwide study, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “The holy grail has always been to try to reverse the disease,” and this research points to a possible way forward. Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, the director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, also weighed in, acknowledging the significance of this study as “another chapter in the story, a proof of principle.”
Can Crestor Actually Reverse Heart Disease?
In the study, an impressive two-thirds of the 349 participants saw their heart artery buildups shrink when they took the highest dose of Crestor. This statin drug is known for its strength, but it’s also been in the spotlight due to concerns from Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group. They argue that Crestor carries more side effects compared to other statins and maintain that it doesn’t offer any unique benefits to justify these risks. Their stance remains unchanged, even with the study’s findings, advising against prescribing Crestor, especially in high doses, unless other drugs and lower doses have been tried without success.
Despite these concerns, the study didn’t raise any major safety red flags. However, doctors note that the study’s size might have been too small to catch rare side effects, and it wasn’t really set up to look for them in the first place. The main goal was to see if people with existing heart disease, not just high cholesterol, could actually reverse the progression of their condition. So, the question remains: Can Crestor turn back the clock on heart disease? The study offers a glimmer of hope, but it’s clear that more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits.
Clots and Cholesterol
Clots in the arteries are the main culprits behind heart attacks. When it comes to big clots, doctors often turn to angioplasty to squash them or surgery to go around them. But what about the smaller buildups that gradually get worse and eventually block a vessel? That’s where statins come into play.
Statins, like Lipitor, Zocor, and Pravachol, have become super popular because they’re really good at lowering LDL, or the “bad cholesterol,” which is a key player in clot formation.
In the study we’ve been talking about, Crestor did more than just lower the average LDL levels from 130 mg per deciliter of blood to around 60. It also bumped up HDL, or the “good cholesterol,” from 43 to 49.
Doctors think this one-two punch might be the reason why blockages started to shrink, as seen in ultrasound measurements taken before and two years after starting the treatment. So, it looks like Crestor might be onto something when it comes to tackling both big and small artery issues.
How Effective Is Crestor in Reversing Heart Disease?
The study showed that the main blockage in each patient decreased by a modest 1 percent. However, the most clogged artery saw a decrease of 9 percent, and the entire length of the vessel improved by 7 percent, on average. Dr. David Williams from the Rhode Island Cardiology Center, who wasn’t involved in the study, called the results “very, very exciting” and groundbreaking.
But not everyone is completely convinced. Dr. Roger Blumenthal from Johns Hopkins University suggested that it would have been better if the study had compared Crestor to a lower dose of another statin. His thoughts were shared in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which will publish the study in its April 5 issue.
What Should Be the Preferred Crestor Dosage?
There’s also a bit of a discussion going on about the dosages. Crestor’s maximum dose is 40 mg a day, while other less powerful statins have a max of 80 mg. With insurance companies already putting restrictions on specific brands and with Pravachol and Zocor about to lose their patent protection, we might see some changes in what’s prescribed.
Another hot topic the study brings up is how low LDL levels should go. Current federal guidelines suggest aiming for 70 in people at high risk of heart disease. However, Dr. Nissen points out that the benefits seen when pushing it to 60 might mean that “as low as we can go might make more sense.”
Dr. Christopher O’Connor, a cardiologist from Duke University who wasn’t involved in the research, adds that the body needs about 40 LDL for general repair, so we’re getting pretty close to what’s necessary with these lower targets.
Wrapping it Up!
Crestor has shown promising results in reversing heart disease. The study we’ve discussed highlights Crestor’s potential in not only lowering LDL cholesterol but also in reducing artery plaque build-up, which is a key factor in preventing heart attacks and strokes. While there are concerns regarding its side effects and dosage, the positive outcomes cannot be ignored. If you’re considering this medication, you might want to buy Crestor online from a reputable source like the best Canadian online pharmacy to ensure you’re getting a quality product.
It’s crucial, however, to consult with a primary caregiver before making any decisions about your heart health regimen. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific health needs and help you explore the options available, including whether Crestor is the right choice for you.