[ad_1]
One study found that 59% of American adults eligible to take statins were not offered the drug. Meanwhile, a significant number of patients have stopped taking this medication to lower cholesterol levels for fear of side effects. ( pixabay )
Patients eligible for statins to lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke do not take them.
One study found that a total of 1,511 adults in the United States did not receive statin therapy, although it met the criteria for the cholesterol-lowering drug. More than half (59%) of respondents admitted that their doctors had never recommended this medication.
The researchers interviewed 5,693 people as part of the study. They published their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association Wednesday, March 27.
Why people do not take statins
The study also found that African-American women and those without insurance are more likely to report that their doctors have never offered or recommended statins. Meanwhile, cardiology patients are more likely to receive cholesterol lowering medications than primary care patients.
The researchers admitted that some of the patients surveyed may have received statins, but do not remember talking to their doctor. Corey Bradley, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Duke Clinical Research Institute in South Carolina, said this was still a problem.
"[W]We think that if the patient did not remember the conversation, it was probably not effective, "he said.
The study also revealed that a significant number of patients who had been proposed to take statin had declined (10.1%) or discontinued treatment (30.7%). Many have said to worry about possible side effects of the drug.
Ann Marie Navar, lead author of the study and badistant professor of medicine at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, explained that many erroneous information could prevent people from taking the drug.
"Although there are risks badociated with statins, the fear of side effects by the public is disproportionate to the real risks," she said. "The misconceptions about statins are ubiquitous and are fed by false information on the Internet."
The research however revealed that 59.7% of patients who stopped using statins are ready to use them again. The researchers hope this will encourage physicians to discuss the benefits of treatment and to convince patients to take the drug.
Use of statins
Statin is a clbad of drugs that helps reduce the amount of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol in the blood. Studies have shown that the use of statins can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Although there is evidence that taking this medication can lead to type 2 diabetes, the Food and Drug Authority said the risk is low. The benefits promised by the statin "outweigh" the very low risk of developing diabetes.
Ⓒ 2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[ad_2]
Source link
