News - Hypertension Week of April 6, 2003/ Vol. 2 No. 14

Study: Cholesterol Drug Reduces Heart Attacks, Strokes in Hypertensives

People with high blood pressure but relatively normal levels of cholesterol might benefit from taking cholesterol-lowering statins used to prevent cardiovascular disease, according to a study reported in the April 5 issue of the Lancet.

This is the first study to assess the potential benefits of cholesterol-lowering statins in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease among people with high blood pressure who have normal or low cholesterol levels.

More than 10,300 people with high blood pressure and normal or moderately raised levels of cholesterol participated in the study, which was called the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. Those receiving atorvastatin were 36 percent less likely to suffer from heart attacks and 27 percent less likely to suffer from strokes.

"At present, large numbers of people around the world are affected by high blood pressure, with only normal or slightly raised cholesterol, causing significant levels of ill health and mortality," said researcher Björn Dahlöf, a professor at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Östra, Sweden. "This study shows that statins are effective, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes."

Other sources: Lancet, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine