How I Treat: Coronary Heart Disease: The Pleiotropic Effects of Statins

Abstract

EMJ EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL CARDIOLOGY • February 2015 EMJ EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL 78 79 Cardiovascular (CV) diseases currently represent the first cause of death in industrialised countries with coronary heart disease (CHD) corresponding to the zenith of the phenomenon being responsible either for acute CV events or chronic heart failure (HF). Over 7 million people every year die from CHD, accounting for 12.8% of all deaths. Dyslipidaemias undeniably play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis, and lipid lowering with statins is an essential and integral part of CHD prevention and management. Statins are the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide for lowering blood cholesterol levels. They have been used for over 20 years, and have been found to be effective, safe, and well tolerated over a broad range of patients.