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Posted on May 27, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Greater use of statins to reduce cholesterol would help many people with healthy lifestyles that are still at risk of cardiovascular disease, according to consultant cardiologist Dr Sandy Gupta.
Greater use of statins to reduce cholesterol would help many people with healthy lifestyles that are still at risk of cardiovascular disease, according to consultant cardiologist Dr Sandy Gupta.
As chair of the British Heart Foundation Committee on Ethnic Minorities, Dr Gupta argues that "a lot of our cholesterol is not related to our diet, so people will need medication".
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellent in the UK has issued new guidance on lowering cholesterol levels in people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Under the revised guidance, people aged 40-75 who are identified as having a 20 per cent or greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease within the next ten years should be treated with statin.
However, anti-cholesterol medications should not be considered as compensation for an unhealthy lifestyle, experts emphasise.
According to the New York State Department of Health, statistics show that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the US despite ongoing developments in prevention, testing and treatment.
