Since statins were introduced for the treatment of high cholesterol, the wealthy have seen a decline in lipid levels double to that of the poor.

A study by researchers at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago analyzed the social disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease since statins were introduced. Their research findings are published in the September issue of Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
The researchers note that high cholesterol used to be a rich man’s disease. They had easier access to high fat foods like red meat. Because wealthier Americans …read more

Leading US doctors are saying that children as young as 8 should receive statins as a course of treatment for high cholesterol. Currently in many places such as the UK kids with a rare gene fault are being prescribed statins but US pediatricians are taking it one step further.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, believes that the drugs, which are used by millions of adults worldwide, could benefit thousands more children who are already obese, or showing signs of high blood pressure or type II diabetes.
Many UK docs do not agree with this decision and state that this is being …read more

If your doctor has prescribed aspirin, beta blockers, or statins to treat your heart disease, have you been good about taking them? If not, be forewarned.
A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that heart patients who stopped taking these three drugs are three times more likely to die during the next year than patients who followed their prescribed regimen. One out of eight heart-attack patients, who were more likely to be older, single, and less educated, quit taking their meds within a month. Two of the main reasons patients don’t take …read more