Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are two of the most common medications used to lower “bad” cholesterol, also called LDL cholesterol.
Doctors often prescribe these drugs to people who have heart problems, especially those with coronary artery disease.
A new study has looked closely at these two statins to see how well they work in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and death.
The research was based on a large clinical trial called LODESTAR, which included 4,400 adults with coronary artery disease. The participants were randomly given either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin and followed for three years, from 2016 to 2019.
The scientists wanted to know whether one drug was better than the other in reducing serious health events like heart attacks, strokes, or the need for heart surgery.
The results showed that both statins worked equally well when it came to preventing major health problems. There was no major difference between the two groups in terms of deaths, heart attacks, strokes, or surgeries to open blocked arteries.
However, there were some other interesting differences. People taking rosuvastatin had lower LDL cholesterol levels on average compared to those taking atorvastatin. While this may seem like a good thing, there were some downsides too.
The study found that people on rosuvastatin were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes that required medication. They also had a slightly higher chance of needing cataract surgery compared to those taking atorvastatin.
So, even though rosuvastatin lowered cholesterol a bit more, it also came with a higher risk of new health issues like diabetes and cataracts.
The researchers concluded that both drugs are similarly effective in preventing heart-related events, but they come with different side effects. This means doctors and patients need to weigh the benefits and risks when choosing between these two medications.
It’s also important to note that this study only included people of Asian backgrounds and lasted just three years. So, more research is needed to see if the results are the same for people of other ethnic groups and over a longer period of time.
If you’re concerned about your heart health, there are many ways to take care of it. Studies suggest that eating eggs in moderation might help reduce the risk of heart disease, while some herbal supplements could be harmful to your heart rhythm.
Other studies show that drinking milk may affect your chances of getting heart disease or cancer, and diets like the DASH or a vegetable-rich diet may be good for lowering blood pressure and reducing heart disease risk.
This study was published in the medical journal BMJ and adds valuable insight into how different statin drugs may affect your health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about heart disease hidden and essential vitamins for heart health: a guide to a healthy heart.
For more about heart health, please read studies about the stuff in your mouth that can increase heart attack risk and statin alternative lowers risk of heart disease as well as cholesterol levels.
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