There is a diminished risk of death and amputation for PAD patients who take statins. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
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Amanda Rupp | May 11, 2016

Lower risk of death, amputation exists for PAD patients taking statins

Leaders at the American Heart Association recently reported that peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients who take statins, which are meant to lower cholesterol, may have a lower risk of death and amputation compared to patients without statins.

Patients who have PAD and higher doses of statins show lower risks for these two health concerns. PAD patients who have low or moderate dose statins do not show as much of a change in their amputation and death risks; the higher the statin dose, the lower the chances of the patients’ amputations or deaths.

“PAD, a narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms and head, is the next cardiovascular epidemic,” Shipra Arya, the study's lead author, said. “It is poorly recognized and not adequately treated compared to heart disease -- and research is lacking on the optimal use of statins for PAD patients.”

The data was published in Peripheral Vascular Disease 2016 Scientific Sessions from the AHA’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology department.

“Ours is one of the largest population-based studies on PAD and suggests patients who have been diagnosed with PAD should be considered for placement on high dose statins upon diagnosis if they can tolerate it, along with other medical management, including smoking cessation, antiplatelet therapy and a walking program,” Arya, who is also a staff physician at the Atlanta V.A. Medical Center, said.

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