Stroke prevention by aggressive reduction in cholesterol levels
Common Questions and Answers about Stroke prevention by aggressive reduction in cholesterol levels
stroke
Previous randomized trials of statin use for lowering cholesterol have shown, on average, significant reduction in strokes in both primary and secondary prevention of about 15 to 30%. Hence the 27% reduction in stroke incidence is in keeping with the prior observations.
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Bottom line, there is a proven reduction in the risk of cardiac events with lower levels of serum LDL.
In fact, countries with higher cholesterol levels had far fewer heart problems. In Japan, their cholesterol rose by 20% between 1958 and 1999 due to diet change. They used to have the highest rates of deaths from strokes. The mortality rate from stroke dropped seven fold and heart attacks dropped by 50%. Strange? when the claim is that fat causes these things. The big drug companies seem very good at keeping independant research under wraps, but the evidence is there for anyone to see.
Primary prevention is a lot less effective than secondary prevention (as judged by the number needed to treat to prevent one stroke per year).Recent guidelines detail the evidence for primary prevention in stroke. Because stroke may indicate underlying atherosclerosis, it is important to determine the patient's risk for other cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease. Conversely, aspirin prevents against first stroke in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction.
In 1994, the American Heart Association Task Force on Cholesterol Issues published a groundbreaking report about a link between total cholesterol levels of less than 160 mg/dL and an increase in deaths from trauma, some types of cancer, hemorrhagic stroke, and respiratory and infectious diseases. Since then, most additional research links very low cholesterol levels to an increased risk of depression, suicide, anxiety, impulsiveness and aggression in men and women, adolescents and adults alike.
Welcome and thanks for your question. Your numbers look great, I wouldn't be concerned. They are on the low side, but mine have been that low and my cardiologist was fine with my numbers as well. Quick question, are these normal for you or are you on cholesterol lowering meds?
Nice job!
4%) over 18 months. Thus, atorvastatin 80 mg/day causes a greater reduction in LDL-cholesterol than pravastatin 40 mg/day, and this is associated with a reduced progression of atheroma and reduced clinical events. As a consequence of these findings, the National Cholesterol Education Programme and European guidelines for LDL-cholesterol levels should be lowered.
Hello Diane,
"The FDA now says that Crestor should be prescribed for prevention's sake in men ages 50 and up and women 60 and older with normal "bad" cholesterol levels only if they have a CRP of 2 mg/L or higher as well as at least one characteristic that puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease.
After 1 month, the group that was using a diet of these foods showed a cholesterol reduction of 28%, which was comparable to that in the statin/low-fat-diet group.
You may ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist for help in preparing a cholesterol lowering diet. You may find that with this boost your father can come off of a statin protocol, or at least lower his dosage considerably.
Good luck.
If triglyceride levels are 200 mg/dL or higher, the goal for non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are less than 130 mg/dL. All patients should start dietary therapy, reducing intake of saturated fats (to 10 g/day) to further lower LDL-C; daily physical activity and weight management; and increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish or in capsule form (1 g/day), with higher doses for treatment of elevated triglyceride levels.
Why treat nutritional deficiency with drugs?
(OMNS, November 13, 2008) A recent study suggested that statins might be used to avoid the effects of nutritional deficiency. Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Jupiter group described a study of statin drugs in people with high C-reactive protein and low cholesterol. (1) High C-reactive protein levels are associated with inflammation and heart disease/stroke.
HCTZ may increase total serum cholesterol by 11%, LDL lipoprotein cholesterol by 12%, and VLDL lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 50%, and may reduce insulin secretion, it should be used with caution in diabetic patients and in those with hypercholesterolemia. True glucose intolerance may develop in approximately 3% of patients. It is typically reversible within six months after discontinuation of therapy.
Arthur Agatston, the author of "The South Beach Diet" is also a renown cardiologist. He also has written a book which I recommend titled "The South Beach Heart Program."
In it he writes about "aggressive prevention" of heart disease. He advocates aggresive management of cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides. That means statin drugs. He also says that people with known heart risks that follow his program can have a normal life expectancy.
I am a 73-year-old female, generally in very good health with low risk factors for stroke or heart disease. Past hypertension and hyperlipidemia have been well-controlled with medication for more than ten years. In April 2011 my total cholesterol was 147; LDL 84; TG 85; HDL 46.
Last week I suffered a cryptogenic stroke of the left temporal cortex that presented with garbled speech and difficulty drinking from a cup. (Both symptoms have since resolved completely.
A lot of doctors themselves are taking a small amount of a statin to prevent heart disease even if they have normal cholesterol levels.
If this is HR CRP, then you would fall into the high cardiovascular mortality risk group, regardless of you cholesterol findings. The only caveat in that is that you had a recent pregnancy and delivery and probably lots of stress related to having a newborn. The HTN also does not help. I would probably recheck this in a few months.
Chronic means the infarct has been there already for a long time. If you suffered no stroke-like symptoms in the past, it was likely a 'silent' T.I.A. or mini-stroke that happened and the evidence is showing on the MRI.
Treatment should be aimed at trying to prevent a full-blown stroke from happening in the future. A neurologist should assist you with this treatment.
//www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/11-tips-to-cut-your-cholesterol-fast#1
Tips include: no trans fat (cakes, pie crust, frozen pizza, etc.
Bile is a digestive enzyme that aids in the breaking down of fats in the intestinal tract. If a person can produce a regular supply of bile, then cholesterol levels will drop as this raw material is converted into a useful tool. However, most people recycle their bile and new bile is not made in amounts sufficient enough to reduce blood cholesterol. Let me explain further.
Stop the production of cholesterol in your liver, or stop its absorption in the small intestine.
supplements in your diet can help reduce cholesterol, but most people have to be at
their targets, eating right, and exercising before supplements can help them stay there.
One supplement works through the liver just like a statin because it is a statin, a natural
one. Mevastatin is produced naturally by red rice yeast.
We also know that statins seem to have beneficial effects independent of cholesterol reduction including anti-inflammatory effect and possible improvement of the health of the inner lining of the blood vessels.
Interestingly, the small reductions in death in men under 65 with pre-existing heart disease was independent of cholesterol reduction and was almost certainly due to their anti-inflammatory effects (there are safer ways to get this effect).
In fact the number needed to treat may be a lot higher than 100 because it has only been pharmaceutical studies which have shown this benefit and they used patients with multiple risk factors.
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