Is Lipitor beneficial for healthy patients?

[bikermike]

I have been told by my Cardiologist that Lipitor has a protective effect for cardiovascular disease even in patients with normal lipids, if there are other risk factors, such as family history.  Is there evidence to that effect?

I am a 63 year old male.  I was started on Lipitor in 2000 after some small calcium deposits were discovered in my coronary arteries on a screening CT scan (I was asymptomatic).  Cholesterol was about 190.  Lipitor dosage is now 5 mg daily, and all my lipid levels are normal, and BP is 115/70 untreated.  I've since lost weight and improved my diet. (Height 68.5", weight 155 lbs).  I exercise regularly, never smoked. My father had onset of angina in his early 50's, MI at age 55, and CABG at age 66 (with no further heart problems).

[erijon]

Here's a quote from the New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 344:688-689  March 1, 2001  Number 9;

"The statins do more than just lower cholesterol levels. Recent evidence demonstrates that they appear to be potent and effective cardioprotective agents that inhibit leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions, possibly through enhanced endothelial release of nitric oxide."

This from an article entitled "Markers of Myocardial Damage and Inflammation in Unstable Coronary Artery Disease" by T. Engelhardt, B. H. Cuthbertson, B. Lindahl, and L. Wallentin - 1 Mar, 2001. I don't have the study details but this has een documented several times.

Also, from the Jupiter study;

"Statins may even benefit those without high cholesterol. In 2008 the JUPITER study showed fewer stroke, heart attacks, and surgeries even for patients who had no history of high cholesterol or heart disease, but only elevated C-reactive protein levels. There were also 20% fewer deaths (mainly from reduction in cancer deaths) though deaths from cardiovascular causes were not reduced."

There will be those that will tell you that studies such as the Jupiter Study were conducted or financed by big pharma companies, but that is not always the case nor does it place any doubt on the outcome. For me, I go with my experience with statins which have been very effective for me overall.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[ed34]

It still isn't really understood what long term damage statins do to the body, particularly the Liver, if any. I personally think it's ridiculous to give healthy patients drugs. If a persons body is in good shape, it doesn't need drugs and rather than risk any problems I would steer clear of them.
How far do we go with preventative drugs. Maybe we should all take ace inhibitors to ensure we dont get high blood pressure. Maybe we should all take beta blockers to ensure our hearts dont work hard. I have noticed how Aspirin has recently been in the news. This drug has been prescribed for many years to patients with heart problems. Now it appears there is a risk of internal bleeding due to the blood being too thin, including in the brain. However, they state the risks of another heart attack outweigh the risks of bleeding. I think we have a right to know the risks when being given medication but nobody I know was told aspirin carries this risk.

[erijon]

Agreed, I don't think I would take stains unless I had a high lipid profile or had significant risk factors for CAD. As for aspirin, my Cardiologist did go over the risks with me when he asked me to take a low dose daily. Perhaps some doctors are not as thorough. I do feel as though we as consumer have some responsibility to ask the tough questions and do the research ourselves before starting any med. It's my body and I'll decide what I'll put in it. Personally, I am comfortable with statins, if I were not I would not take them. I know there are some that are not, that's their decision and I respect that.

Just my 2 cents.............

[Flycaster305]

Given your father's problems, I'd strongly suggest that you take the statin.  Just follow up with blood tests, as recommended to people taking statins.  

I also had a high risk for heart problems from hereditary perspectives, and my total cholesterol was higher than yours.  I rejected the advice and decided fix things with diet, exercise and all sorts of natural nostrums, and my wisdom was rewarded with a series of heart attacks, stents, and a pacemaker because of an enlarged heart.  Since taking the statin, I've had no stents, no heart attacks.  That suggests I made a really foolish decision.  

There are a few things I would have different in my life, and at the top of the list, I would have taken a statin when it was suggested.