A recent study indicates a new method for assessing heart disease risk could lead to fewer statin prescriptions. Despite promising findings, heart specialists urge patients not to discontinue their medications without consulting their doctors.

Statins like Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor are widely prescribed to manage high LDL cholesterol. Current guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology estimate risk based on factors including age, diabetes, and blood pressure.

Led by Dr. Tim Anderson from the University of Pittsburgh, researchers analyzed the new PREVENT heart disease risk calculator. This tool, introduced by the American Heart Association, includes factors such as kidney disease and obesity. Data from 3,785 adults aged 40 to 75 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were compared to older guidelines.

The study found that PREVENT estimated a 10-year heart disease risk roughly half that of the previous tool, potentially reducing statin prescriptions by 40%, affecting up to 4 million Americans.

How Does the New Calculator Differ?

  • Omits race: Uses ZIP code to indicate socioeconomic status.
  • Includes new risk factors: Kidney disease, obesity, and hemoglobin A1C levels.
  • Separately calculates risk for men and women.

Dr. Anderson encourages patients on statins for primary prevention to consult their physicians, considering statins’ side effects like muscle pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues.

“It’s crucial for borderline patients to discuss with their physician,” Anderson stated, noting that family history and other factors might still justify statin use.

Experts like Dr. Sadiya Khan and Dr. Robert Rosenson highlight the need for caution, urging new guidelines to accompany the PREVENT calculator and warning about the study’s limited sample size.

Expert Opinions

  • Dr. Sadiya Khan: Emphasizes the importance of guidelines in determining statin use.
  • Dr. Robert Rosenson: Points out the study’s small participant pool and the need for broader representation.
  • Dr. Shaline Rao: Warns of potential misinterpretation by patients who need statins.

Source: iMedix