Excellent review. This is why I disagree with the current guidelines on starting statins only if the 10-year risk is higher than a certain number +/—risk factors. It ignores lifetime risk. At age 75, I am glad that I started statins more than 30 years ago for only prevention, not because of a high LDL or risk factor indication. 30 years of lower LDLs, even if the pre-statin LDL was not very high, pushes out the lifetime risk.
Thank you very much for that review Dr. Barrett. It really helps putting prevention under an other presperctive. Do you think that checking all the 7 risk factors could even reverse the disease? Do we have evidence for plaque reduction if a healthy lifestyle is applied?
When you use the term ‘heart disease’ or ‘serious heart disease’, what are the criteria for establishing this?
I.e. I’m sure I’ve got plaque build-up at the age of 75, but is that heart disease as such? Or is it on the appearance of a definite symptom like angina, heart attack, shortness of breath etc?
Thank you. This is ultimately very helpful directionally.
Excellent review. This is why I disagree with the current guidelines on starting statins only if the 10-year risk is higher than a certain number +/—risk factors. It ignores lifetime risk. At age 75, I am glad that I started statins more than 30 years ago for only prevention, not because of a high LDL or risk factor indication. 30 years of lower LDLs, even if the pre-statin LDL was not very high, pushes out the lifetime risk.
Lifetime risk is key indeed.
Thank you very much for that review Dr. Barrett. It really helps putting prevention under an other presperctive. Do you think that checking all the 7 risk factors could even reverse the disease? Do we have evidence for plaque reduction if a healthy lifestyle is applied?
We have evidence indeed: https://paddybarrett.substack.com/p/how-to-reverse-coronary-artery-disease?utm_source=publication-search
Very interesting, thank you!
When you use the term ‘heart disease’ or ‘serious heart disease’, what are the criteria for establishing this?
I.e. I’m sure I’ve got plaque build-up at the age of 75, but is that heart disease as such? Or is it on the appearance of a definite symptom like angina, heart attack, shortness of breath etc?