In a new study, researchers estimate nearly 100,000 non-fatal heart attacks and up to 65,000 strokes could be avoided if people eligible for statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs were taking them.
A new study finds high cholesterol is being widely undertreated, leading to tens of thousands of needless heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers say more than 39,000 deaths, nearly 100,000 non-fatal heart attacks and up to 65,000 strokes could be prevented if people eligible for statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs were taking them.
They analyzed cardiovascular risk profiles and LDL cholesterol data from nearly 5,000 U.S. adults who took part in national health surveys between 2013 and 2020.
Among participants who never had a heart attack or stroke, 47% were eligible for statins under U.S. guidelines. But only 23% had ever received a prescription, according to the results.
Among those with a history of heart attack or stroke, only 68% received LDL-lowering treatment, despite 100% being eligible.
The lead investigator says there are several reasons for these treatment gaps, including “differences in clinician training, patient preferences, barriers to accessing care, financial incentives that don’t always support best practices and the difficulty of putting clinical guidelines into practice in busy, real-world settings.”
He says better patient education and improved screening for statin eligibility are critical for saving lives.
Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine
Author Affiliations: Johns Hopkins University, Merck & Co, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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