Brigham and Women’s Hospital Provides Patients and Doctors with Recommendations on Achieving Very Low Levels of Cholesterol to Prevent Heart Attacks
Boston, MA and Dallas, TX – In the ongoing debate regarding how low cholesterol levels should go, new research simultaneously published in the November 16, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2005, provide further evidence of the life-saving importance of a “lower is better” strategy.
BWH cardiologist Christopher P. Cannon, MD, an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Principal Investigator of the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial, which helped demonstrate the benefits of a high dose statin regimen in lowering cholesterol and heart attack risk, is now weighing in on the IDEAL Study through an associated editorial published in the same issue of JAMA. According to Cannon, a lower cholesterol level strategy could potentially help effect the health more than 100 million patients worldwide who suffer from cardiovascular disease as well as the untold millions with known risk factors for heart disease.
“There are now four trials and more than 27,000 patients showing that high-dose statins lower cholesterol more than regular-dose statins and provide additional benefit in preventing heart attacks,” said Cannon. “These studies reaffirm the central role of lowering cholesterol as a means of reducing morbidity and mortality from heart disease.”
According to Cannon in his editorial, the IDEAL Study is another important benchmark in helping demonstrate to doctors and patients the importance of achieving low levels of cholesterol. He provides specific recommendations to patients and physicians including:
- For LDL cholesterol, “lower is better” for preventing heart attacks, strokes and death. Cannon also indicates that this mounting evidence may prompt future changes in National Cholesterol Education Program cholesterol-level guidelines.
- Patients should know their numbers and work with their doctor to try to reduce their LDL cholesterol to new guideline suggested levels – less than 100 mg/dL for individuals with risk factors or less than 70 mg/dL if heart disease is present. This strategy is key to prevent future cardiovascular events.
- Statins are considered safe with side effects usually resolving with dose changes or switching to a different drug.
- A good diet and exercise is part of the overall “heart healthy” plan.
- In addition, raising the “good” cholesterol or HDL is likely beneficial on top of lowering the bad cholesterol.
Please contact BWH Media Relations for more information at (617) 534-1600 or BWHMediaRelations@partners.org.
BWH is a 747-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare System, an integrated health care delivery network. BWH is committed to excellence in patient care with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery. The BWH medical preeminence dates back to 1832 and today that rich history in clinical care is coupled with its national leadership in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, dedication to educating and training health care professionals, and strength in biomedical research. With $370M in funding and more than 500 research scientists, BWH is an acclaimed leader in clinical, basic and epidemiological investigation - including the landmark Nurses Health Study, Physicians Health Studies, and the Women's Health Initiative. For more information visit www.brighamandwomens.org
Send Feedback to: 
