Could Statins Improve Heart Structure and Function?
Statin use was associated with improved heart structure and function in patients without cardiovascular disease, according to the findings of a recent study.1
“Studies in mice and small studies in humans have shown that statins also reduce the thickness of heart muscle but this needed to be confirmed in a larger study,” said lead author Dr Nay Aung of the William Harvey Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London.2
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The study included 4622 individuals without cardiovascular disease involved in the UK Biobank. Researchers obtained data on statin use from medical records and questionnaires, and measured left and right ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass using cardiac magnetic resonance. In addition, researchers adjusted for potential confounders such as age, gender, and body mass index.
Overall, 17% of participants were prescribed statins. Those who received statin therapy tended to be older, have a higher body mass index and blood pressure, and were more likely to have diabetes and hypertension.
Patients who received statins had a 2.4% lower left ventricular mass and lower left and right ventricular volume, indicating a possible reduction in risk for future heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
“It is important to note that in our study, the people taking statins were at higher risk of having heart problems than those not using statins yet they still had positive heart remodelling compared to the healthier control group,” said Dr Aung.
“A dual approach should be considered to identify people who will benefit most from statins. That means looking at not only clinical risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure, but also genetic (hereditary) factors which can predict individuals’ response to statins.”
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
1) Aung N, et al. The effect of statin therapy on ventricular structure and function as assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR): insights from the UK Biobank. Presented at: EUROCMR 2017; May 25-27, 2017; Prague, Czech Republic.
2) Statins associated with improved heart structure and function [press release]. Prague, Czech Republic: European Society of Cardiology, May 26, 2017. https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Statins-associated-with-improved-heart-structure-and-function. Accessed June 7, 2017.