Many patients missing out on statin treatment

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Levels of prescribing of statins to lower cholesterol fall well below those recommended for those at risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol is a clear risk factor for heart disease, but can be brought down by treatment with cholesterol-lowering statins and lifestyle change. This is well known but many patients are still missing out, according to a new study from Stanford University Medical School.

They analysed national data and found that statins were prescribed in only half of consultations for people at high risk of heart disease. For those at moderate risk, they were prescribed 44 per cent of the time. In less than half of the visits were patients counseled about possible changes in their lifestyle.

There were also inequalities in the use of statins. Women, younger people, African-Americans and those cared for by doctors who are not cardiologists were all less likely to receive statins. More effort should be made to ensure that all those who can benefit from statins actually receive them, the researchers say.

Source
Public Library of Science Medicine May 2005 Volume 2 Number 5