Article Abstract:
A selective cholesterol-removing blood treatment called apheresis in combination with simvastin drug treatment appears to be effective in slowing the progression of existing heart disease. For two years 42 men with existing heart disease and high cholesterol were treated with either apheresis and simvastin (combination group) or simvastin alone. Lipoprotein (a) levels and the number of blocked or narrowed arteries decreased in the combination group while these measurements increased in the simvastin treatment group. Low density lipoprotein levels decreased in both groups but more so in the combination therapy group.
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Article Abstract:
Evidence suggests that the use of alternative treatments to lower risk for heart disease may reduce the need for drugs to lower cholesterol levels. Alternative therapies include medications to reduce blood pressure, aspirin, and hormone-replacement treatments. A simulation model has shown that six to eight million people would no longer be advised to take cholesterol lowering medications if these alternative therapies were effective in reducing risk for heart disease. This would result in a national drug cost savings of $3 billion to $4 billion per year.
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Article Abstract:
Postmenopausal women with high cholesterol levels may reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease by taking estrogen replacement therapy. This was the conclusion of a study of 222 postmenopausal women with increased LDL cholesterol levels.
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