Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are two of the most common medications used to lower LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
Doctors frequently prescribe these drugs to people with heart problems, especially those with coronary artery disease, to help prevent serious events like heart attacks and strokes.
A recent study has taken a closer look at how these two drugs compare. The study, called LODESTAR, involved 4,400 adults with coronary artery disease. These participants were randomly assigned to take either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin and were followed for three years, from 2016 to 2019.
The main goal was to see whether one of these medications was better than the other at preventing major health events such as heart attacks, strokes, death, or surgeries to open blocked arteries.
The results showed that both drugs were equally effective. There were no big differences between the two groups in the number of heart attacks, strokes, deaths, or the need for surgery. In terms of protecting the heart, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin worked about the same.
But the study also found some differences in side effects. People taking rosuvastatin had lower average LDL cholesterol levels than those on atorvastatin. At first, this might sound like an advantage.
However, the lower cholesterol came with some added risks. The group taking rosuvastatin had a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes that required medication. They also had a slightly higher rate of cataract surgeries.
So, while rosuvastatin may lower cholesterol a bit more, it may also raise the risk of developing other health problems. This highlights an important point: when choosing a statin, it’s not just about lowering cholesterol—it’s also about considering potential side effects.
The researchers concluded that both statins are good options for reducing heart risk, but each comes with its own trade-offs. This means doctors and patients should talk together about which drug might be the better fit based on personal health history and risk factors.
It’s also worth noting that this study only included participants of Asian backgrounds and lasted for three years. More research is needed to know if the same results would apply to people from different ethnic groups or over a longer time.
If you’re working on improving your heart health, medications are just one part of the picture. Eating well, staying active, and avoiding smoking are also key. Some research suggests that eating eggs in moderation might lower heart disease risk, while some herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
Other studies have found that drinking milk may affect your chances of developing heart disease or cancer. Diets like DASH and vegetable-rich plans may help reduce blood pressure and heart disease risk.
This study, published in the medical journal BMJ, adds valuable information to the conversation about cholesterol-lowering drugs. It reminds us that while lowering cholesterol is important, it’s also essential to think about the whole person and all aspects of health when choosing a treatment.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about root cause of heart rhythm disorders and Warning signal from the kidneys can predict future heart failure risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
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