Follow-up care with medication, testing after heart attack can prevent 94% of patients from having second cardiac event

Medical Xpress / Intermountain Healthcare / American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022 ^ | Nov. 7, 2022 | Kirk U. Knowlton, MD et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new study finds that following up a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, with a statin prescription and cholesterol measuring blood test, prevents 94% of patients from having or dying from a second cardiovascular event during the next three years.

Having one cardiac event, like a heart attack or stroke, puts a person at high risk of having a second one. One in five people who have a heart attack will be re-admitted to the hospital for a second one within five years

What can clinicians do to mitigate that risk?

"We already know that these patients are at a very high risk of having continued heart problems, and dying from heart disease," said Kirk U. Knowlton, MD. "We wanted to see if interventions like a statin and checking in on their cholesterol levels make a difference. These results are astounding."

Researchers then analyzed whether or not those patients had a subsequent low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) blood test, which measures for "bad" cholesterol, and/or statin prescription, and how they fared for up to three years or until death.

Researchers found that patients who did not have a follow up LDL-C blood test or statin prescription were at a 60% risk of a second major cardiac event or death. In comparison, those who had a follow up LDL-C blood test and statin prescription only had a six percent chance of a second cardiac event or death.

"It's important that we make sure we offer patients every opportunity to be treated for their cholesterol levels and to make sure they're maintaining medically directed therapy," said Dr. Knowlton. "By following up with their physician, checking their cholesterol numbers, and continuing to take appropriate cholesterol lowering medication, we can help our patients can extend their lives for years, even decades, to come."

[ConservativeMind]

94% is a huge decrease in risk, from either medicines or likely doing the equivalent from diet and exercise.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Bob434]

thats an amazing stat- years ago before statins, the death rate obviously was much higher after first heart attack- they certainly have been a blessing to mankind in this case- -

[jagusafr]

I’ve been on statins for over 30 years. I eat well, exercise 4-6 times a week. I had a heart attack anyway, Easter morning 3 years ago. 11 - count ‘em, ELEVEN stents in one artery. Now I read how I have to take Co-Q10 because statins lower my body’s production of it and the high doses of statins caused muscle weakness and joint pain. I’m looking for another way but really hard to find any advice other than the “gotta get the LDL level under 70!” Mantra.

[GrannyAnn]

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[Bob434]

Yeah there are cases where they don’t work for sure, and some pretty serious undesired effects- but overall I think the drug has saved a .ot of,lives, or prolonged them