Statin therapy helps prevent repeat stroke

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins after suffering a first stroke may be less likely to have another stroke in the next 10 years, according to a report in the latest issue of the journal Neurology.

Those who take statins after a stroke may also be less likely to die within the next 10 years than those who do not take statins.

“Considering the large burden that stroke carries around the world, these potential benefits of statins are significant,” study co-author Dr. Sotirios Giannopoulos, from the University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece, said in a statement.

“Also, second strokes tend to result in more disability and longer time spent in hospitals than first strokes, so anything that can prevent these recurrent strokes is beneficial,” Giannopoulos added.

The study involved 794 people who had strokes and had health information available for 10 years after the stroke.

During that time, 112 people had a second stroke and 224 people died. Those who took statins were 35 percent less likely to have a second stroke and 57 percent less likely to die within 10 years than those who did not take statins, the researchers report.

About eight percent of those on statins had a second stroke, compared to 16 percent of those not taking statins.

Researchers analyzed other risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and heart problems, but found that statin use was the only factor associated with a reduced risk of repeat stroke and death.

It’s possible that effects from statin drugs that are separate from their cholesterol-lowering effects are responsible for this result, Giannopoulos said. “Statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and also prevent blood clotting and stabilize plaque in the arteries, so one of these mechanisms may help to prevent recurrent stroke.”

SOURCE: Neurology, May 26, 2009.

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