Want a statin with that combo meal? - American Journal of Cardiology: Can a Statin Neutralize the Cardiovascular Risk of Unhealthy Dietary Choices?

[Guest guest]

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(10)00870-2/abstract

Can a Statin Neutralize the Cardiovascular Risk of Unhealthy Dietary Choices?

A. Ferenczi, MRCP, Perviz Asaria, MPH, Alun D. , PhD,

Nishi Chaturvedi, MD, Darrel P. Francis, FRCP

Received 23 December 2009; received in revised form 30 March 2010; accepted 30

March 2010.

The cardiovascular risk reduction associated with different statins for the

prevention of cardiovascular disease and the cardiovascular risk increase

associated with excess dietary intake of fat have been quantified. However,

these relative risks have never been directly juxtaposed to determine whether an

increase in relative risk by 1 activity could be neutralized by an opposing

change in relative risk from a second activity. The investigators compared the

increase in relative risk for cardiovascular disease associated with the total

fat and trans fat content of fast foods against the relative risk decrease

provided by daily statin consumption from a meta-analysis of statins in primary

prevention of coronary artery disease (7 randomized controlled trials including

42,848 patients). The risk reduction associated with the daily consumption of

most statins, with the exception of pravastatin, is more powerful than the risk

increase caused by the daily extra fat intake associated with a 7-oz hamburger

(Quarter Pounder®) with cheese and a small milkshake. In conclusion, statin

therapy can neutralize the cardiovascular risk caused by harmful diet choices.

In other spheres of human activity, individuals choosing risky pursuits

(motorcycling, smoking, driving) are advised or compelled to use measures to

minimize the risk (safety equipment, filters, seatbelts). Likewise, some

individuals eat unhealthily. Routine accessibility of statins in establishments

providing unhealthy food might be a rational modern means to offset the

cardiovascular risk. Fast food outlets already offer free condiments to

supplement meals. A free statin-containing accompaniment would offer

cardiovascular benefits, opposite to the effects of equally available salt,

sugar, and high-fat condiments. Although no substitute for systematic lifestyle

improvements, including healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and smoking

cessation, complimentary statin packets would add, at little cost, 1 positive

choice to a panoply of negative ones.

International Centre for Circulatory Health, National Heart and Lung Institute,

Imperial College London and Imperial NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author: Tel: 44-207-594-1264; fax: 44-207-594-1706

 Dr. Francis is supported by grant FS 04/079 from the British Heart Foundation,

London, United Kingdom.

 We have chosen the Quarter Pounder® because it is a product that is

universally known and universally uniform in its characteristics. We use it,

however, solely as a proxy for all foods of certain fat and trans-fat content.

We do not suggest that a Quarter Pounder® poses any health threat greater than

any other food with the same fat and trans-fat content.

PII: S0002-9149(10)00870-2

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.03.077

© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(10)00870-2/abstract

Can a Statin Neutralize the Cardiovascular Risk of Unhealthy Dietary Choices?

A. Ferenczi, MRCP, Perviz Asaria, MPH, Alun D. , PhD,

Nishi Chaturvedi, MD, Darrel P. Francis, FRCP

Received 23 December 2009; received in revised form 30 March 2010; accepted 30

March 2010.

The cardiovascular risk reduction associated with different statins for the

prevention of cardiovascular disease and the cardiovascular risk increase

associated with excess dietary intake of fat have been quantified. However,

these relative risks have never been directly juxtaposed to determine whether an

increase in relative risk by 1 activity could be neutralized by an opposing

change in relative risk from a second activity. The investigators compared the

increase in relative risk for cardiovascular disease associated with the total

fat and trans fat content of fast foods against the relative risk decrease

provided by daily statin consumption from a meta-analysis of statins in primary

prevention of coronary artery disease (7 randomized controlled trials including

42,848 patients). The risk reduction associated with the daily consumption of

most statins, with the exception of pravastatin, is more powerful than the risk

increase caused by the daily extra fat intake associated with a 7-oz hamburger

(Quarter Pounder®) with cheese and a small milkshake. In conclusion, statin

therapy can neutralize the cardiovascular risk caused by harmful diet choices.

In other spheres of human activity, individuals choosing risky pursuits

(motorcycling, smoking, driving) are advised or compelled to use measures to

minimize the risk (safety equipment, filters, seatbelts). Likewise, some

individuals eat unhealthily. Routine accessibility of statins in establishments

providing unhealthy food might be a rational modern means to offset the

cardiovascular risk. Fast food outlets already offer free condiments to

supplement meals. A free statin-containing accompaniment would offer

cardiovascular benefits, opposite to the effects of equally available salt,

sugar, and high-fat condiments. Although no substitute for systematic lifestyle

improvements, including healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and smoking

cessation, complimentary statin packets would add, at little cost, 1 positive

choice to a panoply of negative ones.

International Centre for Circulatory Health, National Heart and Lung Institute,

Imperial College London and Imperial NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author: Tel: 44-207-594-1264; fax: 44-207-594-1706

 Dr. Francis is supported by grant FS 04/079 from the British Heart Foundation,

London, United Kingdom.

 We have chosen the Quarter Pounder® because it is a product that is

universally known and universally uniform in its characteristics. We use it,

however, solely as a proxy for all foods of certain fat and trans-fat content.

We do not suggest that a Quarter Pounder® poses any health threat greater than

any other food with the same fat and trans-fat content.

PII: S0002-9149(10)00870-2

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.03.077

© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(10)00870-2/abstract

Can a Statin Neutralize the Cardiovascular Risk of Unhealthy Dietary Choices?

A. Ferenczi, MRCP, Perviz Asaria, MPH, Alun D. , PhD,

Nishi Chaturvedi, MD, Darrel P. Francis, FRCP

Received 23 December 2009; received in revised form 30 March 2010; accepted 30

March 2010.

The cardiovascular risk reduction associated with different statins for the

prevention of cardiovascular disease and the cardiovascular risk increase

associated with excess dietary intake of fat have been quantified. However,

these relative risks have never been directly juxtaposed to determine whether an

increase in relative risk by 1 activity could be neutralized by an opposing

change in relative risk from a second activity. The investigators compared the

increase in relative risk for cardiovascular disease associated with the total

fat and trans fat content of fast foods against the relative risk decrease

provided by daily statin consumption from a meta-analysis of statins in primary

prevention of coronary artery disease (7 randomized controlled trials including

42,848 patients). The risk reduction associated with the daily consumption of

most statins, with the exception of pravastatin, is more powerful than the risk

increase caused by the daily extra fat intake associated with a 7-oz hamburger

(Quarter Pounder®) with cheese and a small milkshake. In conclusion, statin

therapy can neutralize the cardiovascular risk caused by harmful diet choices.

In other spheres of human activity, individuals choosing risky pursuits

(motorcycling, smoking, driving) are advised or compelled to use measures to

minimize the risk (safety equipment, filters, seatbelts). Likewise, some

individuals eat unhealthily. Routine accessibility of statins in establishments

providing unhealthy food might be a rational modern means to offset the

cardiovascular risk. Fast food outlets already offer free condiments to

supplement meals. A free statin-containing accompaniment would offer

cardiovascular benefits, opposite to the effects of equally available salt,

sugar, and high-fat condiments. Although no substitute for systematic lifestyle

improvements, including healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and smoking

cessation, complimentary statin packets would add, at little cost, 1 positive

choice to a panoply of negative ones.

International Centre for Circulatory Health, National Heart and Lung Institute,

Imperial College London and Imperial NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author: Tel: 44-207-594-1264; fax: 44-207-594-1706

 Dr. Francis is supported by grant FS 04/079 from the British Heart Foundation,

London, United Kingdom.

 We have chosen the Quarter Pounder® because it is a product that is

universally known and universally uniform in its characteristics. We use it,

however, solely as a proxy for all foods of certain fat and trans-fat content.

We do not suggest that a Quarter Pounder® poses any health threat greater than

any other food with the same fat and trans-fat content.

PII: S0002-9149(10)00870-2

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.03.077

© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(10)00870-2/abstract

Can a Statin Neutralize the Cardiovascular Risk of Unhealthy Dietary Choices?

A. Ferenczi, MRCP, Perviz Asaria, MPH, Alun D. , PhD,

Nishi Chaturvedi, MD, Darrel P. Francis, FRCP

Received 23 December 2009; received in revised form 30 March 2010; accepted 30

March 2010.

The cardiovascular risk reduction associated with different statins for the

prevention of cardiovascular disease and the cardiovascular risk increase

associated with excess dietary intake of fat have been quantified. However,

these relative risks have never been directly juxtaposed to determine whether an

increase in relative risk by 1 activity could be neutralized by an opposing

change in relative risk from a second activity. The investigators compared the

increase in relative risk for cardiovascular disease associated with the total

fat and trans fat content of fast foods against the relative risk decrease

provided by daily statin consumption from a meta-analysis of statins in primary

prevention of coronary artery disease (7 randomized controlled trials including

42,848 patients). The risk reduction associated with the daily consumption of

most statins, with the exception of pravastatin, is more powerful than the risk

increase caused by the daily extra fat intake associated with a 7-oz hamburger

(Quarter Pounder®) with cheese and a small milkshake. In conclusion, statin

therapy can neutralize the cardiovascular risk caused by harmful diet choices.

In other spheres of human activity, individuals choosing risky pursuits

(motorcycling, smoking, driving) are advised or compelled to use measures to

minimize the risk (safety equipment, filters, seatbelts). Likewise, some

individuals eat unhealthily. Routine accessibility of statins in establishments

providing unhealthy food might be a rational modern means to offset the

cardiovascular risk. Fast food outlets already offer free condiments to

supplement meals. A free statin-containing accompaniment would offer

cardiovascular benefits, opposite to the effects of equally available salt,

sugar, and high-fat condiments. Although no substitute for systematic lifestyle

improvements, including healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss, and smoking

cessation, complimentary statin packets would add, at little cost, 1 positive

choice to a panoply of negative ones.

International Centre for Circulatory Health, National Heart and Lung Institute,

Imperial College London and Imperial NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author: Tel: 44-207-594-1264; fax: 44-207-594-1706

 Dr. Francis is supported by grant FS 04/079 from the British Heart Foundation,

London, United Kingdom.

 We have chosen the Quarter Pounder® because it is a product that is

universally known and universally uniform in its characteristics. We use it,

however, solely as a proxy for all foods of certain fat and trans-fat content.

We do not suggest that a Quarter Pounder® poses any health threat greater than

any other food with the same fat and trans-fat content.

PII: S0002-9149(10)00870-2

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.03.077

© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T