WASHINGTON, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The results of a study published in the current issue of the peer reviewed British Medical Journal (BMJ) support the findings of a white paper released last month by the Senior Center for Health and Security (SCHS) regarding the potentially lifesaving qualities of cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins.

The report concluded, "In patients without established cardiovascular disease but with cardiovascular risk factors, statin use was associated with significantly improved survival and large reductions in the risk of major cardiovascular events."

A meta-analysis of 10 significant statin trials involving more than 70,000 patients published in the June 30 BMJ show that statins can reduce the risk of death by 12%, reduce coronary events by 30% and cardiovascular events by 19%. Researchers also underscored the potential value of statins to men 65 years of age and older and older women with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors noting that, "it is likely that a considerable number of such people would benefit from long-term statin use," wrote the study's authors, led by Dr. Jasper Brugts of the Erasmus MC Thoraxcenter in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The BMJ findings parallel those of the June 29 white paper by the SCHS which found that research indicates statin use can not only help patients lower their cholesterol but can have other life saving benefits as well.

"More Americans and growing portions of the global medical community are coming to an important consensus on the potential of statins to improve heart health and save lives," said SCHS Policy Director Al Cors. "We've been educating seniors on this issue for years and we're seeing more data and research supporting those efforts.

Cors noted the importance of recognizing the many types of statins and how each may play a role in addressing the specific cardiovascular risks for each patient. "Only by talking with their doctor can patients make sure they receive the right statin to meet their cholesterol goals through a well monitored regimen," said Cors.

The SCHS white paper entitled Saving America's Seniors with Statins, is available online and may be viewed at http://www.seniorsforcures.org/6-22-09_statins.html. The white paper is available without subscription.

SOURCE Senior Center for Health and Security

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