Last week, The New York Times reported on a large government study that could change treatment for patients with heart disease. According to the newspaper:
Common wisdom has been that such patients should take a statin drug like Lipitor or Zocor to lower bad cholesterol and, in many cases, the vitamin niacin to raise their good cholesterol. But in the trial, niacin provided no benefit over simple statin therapy.
Researchers are puzzled by the results—for decades studies have shown that people with naturally higher levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) have fewer heart problems than those with lower levels. In addition, the niacin therapy that was used in the study along with Zocor was showing measurable, seemingly positive differences in the study participants. They had higher levels of HDL and lower levels of trigylcerides (fat in the blood). But the study that involved nearly 3500 participants was brought to a halt 18 months early because “it was found that there was almost no chance taking Niaspan would prove beneficial. Zocor and other medications did a good job of keeping patients’ bad cholesterol levels relatively low.”
We realize this news could have an impact on many of our patients. We want to assure you that our clinicians are working with leading experts to determine the best next steps. If you’re already taking niacin or Niaspan, we don’t recommend you do anything differently at this point. This may change as the full results of this study emerge. Stay tuned for more communication from us about this issue.
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very interesting. thank you doctors.