Re: Lack of evidence for LDL treatment targets

Susan wrote:
We also don't seem to have any evidence that LDL lowering by any means is useful. In the case of statins, it comes with a lot of risk of adverse reactions.

Statins save lives when used for secondary prevention of CHD, as well as in various other situations. They save enough lives that for most people with CHD the benefits are well worth the risk of side effects, since for most people who develop side effects, the side effects go away when the statin is stopped.

The evidence clearly shows that statins are beneficial, it just doesn't clearly show that that benefit is related to the degree to which they reduce LDL.

--
David Rind
drind@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Bad LDL cholesterol may benefit elderly
    ... though it does say statins reduce the liklihood of strokes. ... While patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease ... > risk of heart disease--the elderly group in whom greater benefits and lower ... > "The idea that lowering cholesterol always reduces the risk of heart disease ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: high dose folate & breast cancer
    ... >> lower homocysteine which may or may not affect my risk for heart ... Previously, I took statins, which may or may not lower my ... >> for heart disease. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Statins: benefit confined to high risk
    ... "The benefit is really confined to people at high risk. ... A cry from the heart ... Cholesterol-busting statins were hailed as modern wonder drugs. ... Institutes of Health and the National Cholesterol Education Program ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: dueling studies on statins
    ... Statins Cut Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke in Those Without Heart Disease ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • Statins: benefit confined to high risk
    ... "The benefit is really confined to people at high risk. ... A cry from the heart ... Cholesterol-busting statins were hailed as modern wonder drugs. ... Institutes of Health and the National Cholesterol Education Program ...
    (sci.med)