Do we have proven, safe, and effective approaches to prevent heart attack and stroke in post-menopausal women?
YES!! There is abundant, placebo-controlled, clinical trial data using many of the Statin drugs, Mevacor, Zocor, and Pravachol, as well as older data with Niacin and Bile Acid Binding resins which shows that: • lowering LDL cholesterol below 130 mg/dl in the absence of pre-existing heart disease, or below 100 mg/dl in the presence of pre-existing heart disease will reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke about 30 to 60%. • Postmenopausal women actually respond better than men to such drugs, with greater lowering of LDL cholesterol and a greater reduction in heart attack and stroke event rates. • By measuring total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, Lp(a), and homocysteine in women (and men), and by measuring blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and with tests for diabetes, we can easily identify those people who are at high risk and we can easily, safely, and effectively treat them WITHOUT ANY CONSIDERATION OF ESTROGEN THERAPY.
