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NICE publishes new draft guidelines on statins use
"Millions more people should be put on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs," BBC News reports. Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that the drugs should be given to people with an estimated 1 in 10 or more risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Statins are medicines that can help lower rates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (so-called "bad" cholesterol) in the blood. High rates of LDL cholesterol can lead to hardening of the arteries, a risk factor for CVDs. At present,...
Source: NHS News Feed - February 12, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medication QA articles Source Type: news

Should I take statins?
Since 80% of cardiovascular disease is caused by lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking, it would be better to address these factors rather than pop a statinShould everyone over 50 be taking statins? asked an editorial in the Lancet last year. No, said an analysis article in last week's BMJ. Statins, in case you've escaped the hype, are drugs that block an enzyme in the liver that's needed to make cholesterol (we make it as well as eat it). Statins reduce levels of low density lipoproteins – the bad cholesterol that furs up arteries and can cause heart disease. But is there any benefit in taking a statin if yo...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 27, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Luisa Dillner Tags: The Guardian Medical research Health & wellbeing Human biology Drugs Features Life and style Science Source Type: news

Editorial Statins for millions more?
Last week, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK unveiled draft guidance on cardiovascular risk assessment and, in particular, on lipid modification for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In an update to the existing guideline, the new proposal is that the threshold be halved for prescribing statins to prevent cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease and stroke.
Source: LANCET - February 21, 2014 Category: Journals (General) Authors: The Lancet Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Statins and cardiovascular disease.
Authors: Abstract Essential facts Heart disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease, known collectively as cardiovascular disease (CVD), cause one in three of all deaths in the UK. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can lead to hardening of the arteries, a risk factor for CVD. Statins are a group of drugs that act on the liver to lower LDL cholesterol rates in the blood. As many as seven million people in the UK currently take statins, at a cost of £285 million a year, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). PMID: 24641035 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Nursing Standard - March 19, 2014 Category: Nursing Tags: Nurs Stand Source Type: research

NICE faces increasing row over statins
Doctors demand withdrawal of new NICE guidance that goes ‘a step too far’Related items from OnMedicaBMJ withdraw statements about statin safetyOverview of statinsStatins should be offered to people more widelyStatin use after stroke not linked to bleedsDrugs regulators “put profits before patients”
Source: OnMedica Latest News - June 11, 2014 Category: UK Health Source Type: news

GPs to review aspirin use in atrial fibrillation patients
NICE calls for increased uptake of anticoagulantsRelated items from OnMedicaAlteplase use linked to reduction in disability after strokeGPs should screen over 65s for atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation raises risk of cognitive problems Statin use after stroke not linked to bleedsNew guidance to prevent strokes
Source: OnMedica Latest News - June 19, 2014 Category: UK Health Source Type: news

Mediterranean diet 'as effective as statins' in reducing heart attack risk
Leading doctors call on medical bodies such as Nice to do more to promote healthy lifestyles rather than relying on cardiovascular drugsPeople at risk of a stroke or heart attack should reduce that risk by adopting the Mediterranean diet rather than necessarily taking statins, leading doctors are urging.Eating more healthily, being more physically active and stopping smoking can be just as effective as starting to take the cholesterol-lowering drugs, they have said in a paper published on Monday. Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 6, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Denis Campbell Health policy editor Tags: Statins Society Heart attack The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) NHS & wellbeing Drugs Science Medical research Diets and dieting Source Type: news

Is Your Prescription a Hall Pass or Lottery Ticket?
As much as I love learning, I did not always love school. We moved a lot, and I was too shy to do well as the new kid. At a new high school during my freshmen year, I discovered the joys of the hall pass. Being handed one gave me a feeling of freedom. With it, I was safe to evade the pressures of the classroom and wander the halls aimlessly. If a teacher stopped me to see if I should be in class, all I had to do was show my hall pass, and I'd be on my way. I think of a hall pass as something that is assured to protect you. Let's say a hall pass works at least 8 out of 10 times. There are hall passes, and then, there are l...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - September 17, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

NICE guidance backs statins for all CKD patients
All CKD patients should be offered statins to reduce their elevated risk of heart attacks or stroke, NICE has said in updated guidance.
Source: GP Online News - July 26, 2017 Category: Primary Care Tags: Clinical News Source Type: news