Cardiologists Reassure Patients about Their Statin Medicines

MEDIA RELEASE

New Zealand Cardiologists Reassure Patients about Their Statin Medicines

2 March 2012

The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand New Zealand Regional Committee would like to reassure patients who are currently taking statin medicines following recent press reports about the potential for side-effects from this class of medicine.

The current reports originate from the recently approved safety label changes for statins, required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. These indicate rare reports of liver problems exist for these drugs. Also a few patients have reported memory loss and confusion. These symptoms have generally not been serious and have resolved after stopping the medicine. Further, some patients have an increase in their blood sugar levels. Muscle aching is a more common and widely recognised side effect of statins.

The balance is that cardiovascular disease is the largest cause of death and major morbidity in New Zealand and statin medicines are a proven, effective way to lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke and death for those at high risk. Major reviews of the statin trial data have repeatedly shown a significant benefit for patients taking these medicines.

A major report published in the Lancet in 2010 (Sattar et al; 375:735-742) of 91,000 patients in statin clinical trials, found that the absolute risk of developing diabetes was one case in 1,000 patient-years. Further, for each patient who had a new diagnosis of diabetes there were 9 patients in whom the statin treatment had avoided a death, heart attack, stroke or invasive treatment with a stent or heart operation.

All medicines carry the potential for side-effects and when side effects occur the benefits of continuing treatment need to be carefully reconsidered. Patients also need to know that stopping statins may accelerate the progression of coronary artery disease and increase the risk of a heart attack. The Cardiac Society therefore strongly recommend that patients do not stop statin medication before discussing concerns they may have with their doctor or specialist.

About the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ): The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand is the professional society for cardiologists and those working in the area of cardiology including researchers, scientists, cardiovascular nurses, allied health professionals and other healthcare workers. The Society is the chief advocacy group for the profession and aims to facilitate training, professional development and improve medical practice to enhance the quality of care for patients with cardiovascular disease (www.csanz.edu.au).

ENDS

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