WomenHeart Urges Women to Talk With Doctors About New Study Showing Statins Prevent Heart Attac...( WASHINGTON Nov. 10 -- WomenHeart...),Health

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WomenHeart today urged women to talk with their doctors about heart disease risk factors in light of new research demonstrating the impact of statin therapy (cholesterol-lowering drugs) on cardiovascular events in women. The study, called JUPITER, found that statin therapy prevents heart attacks, strokes and deaths in women - even those with normal cholesterol levels and no signs of heart disease.

"These new findings underscore the importance that women know their risk factors and ask their doctors what can be done to reduce them," said Lisa M. Tate, chief executive officer of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. "Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and about 500,000 die from it every year."

WomenHeart Champions are women living with heart disease who are willing to talk with media about their experience. Call 202-728-7199 or 301-213-6231

Presented at the American Heart Association's annual scientific meeting, the study found substantial reductions in deaths, strokes and heart attacks among patients taking statins. The study of nearly 18,000 patients - 38 percent of whom were women - may be the first study to demonstrate that statins prevent first heart attacks in women.

The study found that rosuvastatin (a potent statin) prevented heart attacks, strokes or death in people who had normal levels of LDL - or bad cholesterol, but high levels of a marker called C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein measures inflammation in the arteries, a condition that could lead to a heart attack. Both LDL cholesterol and CRP were significantly reduced with treatment.

While these findings could help save thousands of lives, Tate urges women to proceed with caution when considering making any changes to their heart health regimen and to be as informed as possible about their choices.

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