News Articles
Statins equally effective in women and men
Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular events, death for both sexes, researchers say.
Source — Health Day
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are equally effective in men and women, a new study finds.
For both males and females, these drugs lowered the risk of a heart attack by about 20 percent, the researchers say. Previously, some thought that statins, which include Lipitor, Lovastatin and Crestor, benefited women less than men.
"Statin therapy should be used to treat all appropriate patients, regardless of gender," said lead researcher Dr. William Kostis, of the cardiology division at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
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Blood pressure differences between arms could signal heart risk
Peripheral vascular disease may lead to stroke or early death, researchers say
Source — Health Day
People whose systolic blood pressure — the upper number in their reading — is different in their left and right arms may be suffering from a vascular disease that could increase their risk of death, British researchers report.
The arteries under the collarbone supply blood to the arms, legs and brain. Blockage can lead to stroke and other problems, the researchers noted, and measuring blood pressure in both arms should be routine.
"This is an important [finding] for the general public and for primary care doctors," said Dr. William O'Neill, a professor of cardiology and executive dean of clinical affairs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "Traditionally, most people just check blood pressure in one arm, but if there is a difference, then one of the arteries has disease in it," he said.
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