Efficiency of statins in the prevention of strokes

This study examined the efficiency of statins in preventing strokes among high-risk patients.

Cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure put patients at an increased risk for various vascular events such as strokes and heart attacks. Cholesterol is known to play a major role in the development of cardiovascular events including strokes. Cholesterol reducing drugs such as statins, which inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, have been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks and general cardiovascular mortality among high risk patients, and are currently suggested for all high-risk individuals. However, the effects of statins on the incidence of strokes are currently under some debate.

This meta-analysis (an analysis of data combined from several similar trials) reviewed 18 randomly controlled trials, including a total of 114,081 patients with a high stroke risk due to various conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease. The average follow-up duration of all trials was 4 years.

Following analysis, researchers concluded that statin therapy significantly reduced stroke risk among most high-risk patients. The risk of any stroke was reduced by 20% among patients receiving statins compared to patients receiving a placebo. However, no significant effect was noted on the incidence of fatal strokes with statin use. Furthermore, analysis revealed that the risk of fatal strokes was increased among patients with additional renal (kidney) disease receiving statins.

This study concluded that statins are beneficial in reducing overall incidence of stroke among high-risk patients. However, the effects of statin therapy among patients with renal disease requires further investigation.

The impact of the primary disease (e.g. hypertension, coronary artery disease or diabetes) on results could not be determined due to lacking data from the original trials reviewed.

Consult with your physician regarding the role of cholesterol reducing therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events.