Originally posted November 26, 2012.
The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education recently released a 20-page report entitled Physician’s Guide to Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. The Cleveland Clinic is justifiably world-renowned, and the October 2012 guide offers some worthwhile reading on risk factors, diet, lifestyle, fibrates, and niacin. Also included is a two-page discussion of statins. It is noted that statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States. The 20-page report also includes five pages of references and suggested reading, along with a five-page advertising supplement for Crestor. It seems logical to me that most physicians reading this study will be strongly influenced to prescribe statins to patients designated as “at risk.”
I am a professional research analyst, not a medical professional, but I read extensively on health-related issues in order manage health matters for my family. When discussing statins, I want to know if statins offer life extension prospects for older men (like me) and woman (like Debbie). For these two groups, just what are the prospects for life extension with statins?
Do you know about NNT? Linked here is a concise piece I wrote on NNT’s a number of months ago.
I describe NNT as it relates to an article specifically on Lipitor. Each time you or family members are prescribed a drug (statin or otherwise), I suggest that you courteously request the relevant NNT number from your physician. If your physician does not have NNT information on hand prior to starting a prescription drug regime, do your own homework. Research and study lead to a better understanding of the health factors that affect your family.
Read more on statins from Dick Young in his article: Statins May Halve Heart-Attack Risk
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