Research has shown that the salutary effect of statins on cholesterol may not be their only benefit. Statin therapy has shown promise for everything from fighting viral infections to protecting the eye from cataracts.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Like cholesterol, inflammation of the coronary arteries is one of several factors that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker for this harmful inflammation, and statin use helps lower CRP levels.
A study published in 2007 reviewed the results of several clinical trials that involved angioplasty patients taking statins. It found that CRP levels were at least as helpful as "bad cholesterol" levels in predicting patients' risk of recurrent heart events.
Antiviral and Antibacterial Effects
One of the more surprising effects of statin use has been its apparent bug-fighting properties. A 2004 Canadian study found that statins suppressed the attachment of the HIV virus to potential host cells.
A 2005 study of more than 700 hospital patients being treated for pneumonia found that the death rate was more than twice as high among those who were not using statins.
In 2006, a Canadian study examined the rate of sepsis, a deadly blood infection, among patients who had been hospitalized for heart events. In the two years after their hospitalization, the statin users had a rate of sepsis 19% lower than that of the non-statin users.
Possible Alzheimer's Disease Protection
Some evidence indicates that statin therapy could inhibit the progression of Alzheimer's disease. In a 2007 study, researchers examined the brains of 110 deceased elderly patients. The brains of the statin users showed significantly less evidence of the tangles of neural fibers that are a hallmark of the disease.
A study published a year later, however, followed living patients over 12 years, found no significant difference in Alzheimer's rates between those who took statins and those who didn't.
Prevention of Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. Cataracts are typically age-related and affect more than half of all people by the age of 80. A 2006 University of Wisconsin study investigated the long-term eye health of more than 1,000 patients. Among statin users, the rate of nuclear cataracts (the most common age-related cataracts) was nearly 30% lower than that among non-statin users.
Lower Blood Pressure
Statin use also appears to decrease blood pressure, although just modestly, which is not significantly enough to rival existing blood pressure medications.
A British study in 2007 reported that among statin users, readings were reduced by an average of 1.9 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 0.9 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. These units of measurement for blood pressures are represented by the "first" or "top number" indicating the systolic reading and the "second" or "bottom" number indicating the diastolic reading. In patients whose blood pressure started very high, statins appeared to produce a 4.0 mmHg drop in systolic pressure.
Lessening Atrial Fibrillation After Heart Surgery
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat that commonly occurs after heart surgery. This can lead to longer hospital stays or even strokes or heart failure. In a 2006 study, patients who were given a week-long course of statins before surgery had a 61% lower risk of AF.
Are Statins Right For You?
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe you a statin drug. Still, statins may not be appropriate for everyone, so talk with her about whether or not they are suitable in your case, why, and what your other treatment options might be.
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