More young adults on cholesterol drugs

[deminks]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071030/ap_on_he_me/young_hearts_4

TRENTON, N.J. - Use of cholesterol and blood pressure medicines by young adults appears to be rising rapidly — at a faster pace than among senior citizens, according to an industry report being released Tuesday.

(snip)

Among people 65 and older, use of blood pressure drugs increased only 9.5 percent and use of cholesterol drugs by 52 percent. That's because half the seniors were already taking blood pressure drugs and more than one in four were taking cholesterol drugs in 2001.

Jones, dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, said he has seen some increase in young adults with blood pressure or cholesterol problems, but not of the magnitude suggested by Medco's data.

(snip)

Medco processes prescription claims for about 60 million insured Americans. The report's findings are based on a representative sample of data from 2.5 million members.

(end snips)

Big Pharma: Mission accomplished.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Can't say I've a problem with it.

Could save a lot of lives.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. There's a book you might want ot read:

It's called "The Truth About Drug Companies" written by Dr. Marcia Angell, former Editor in Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. It's got quite a bit of information about the cholesterol drug market/industry. Not pretty.

[deminks]

12. Also Seattle Times work "Suddenly Sick"

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/sickintro.html

[bicentennial_baby]

2. What a racket...

I just did a big paper for Philosophy class about the drug industry. Both :puke: and :scared:

One of these days they'll have another Baycol whoopsie, and that should chill the market for a bit. Sigh.

[TZ]

9. My dad is alive because of Lipitor

and I have a blood condition which could lead to blood clots combined with my NATURALLY HIGH cholesterol would put me at extreme risk for a heart attack--Funny how almost all my grandparents died of heart disease and yet NO ONE in my family who have been on statins has even had a heart attack...hmmm.
Did you read any actual science for your PHILOSOPHY paper? Maybe you should do an expose on a 2 billion dollar industry that puts out medical products with no regulation and NO oversight and licenses medical practicioners with NO medical background. Its called alternative medicine and its a far bigger racket WITH NO scientific basis than the pharmaceutical industy

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Um...

If you see my post above in the thread, you can research the book that my paper was about. Pretty credible, and backed up by much evidence.

[Mike03]

4. This is dangerous

These statin drugs have serious side-effects; but, more to the point, our brains require cholesterol to function properly, and destroying the liver's ability to produce it is going to create a lot of mental illness, as well as the other issues brought about from statin drugs, such as suppression of co-enzyme Q-10 and muscle wasting and pain issues, memory loss, etc...

I have some personal experience with the low cholesterol issues. People don't seem to be aware that there are very serious dangers associated with abnormally low cholesterol.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. .

:applause:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Yeah.

Unfortunately high cholesterol's been known to have some undesirable side effects too.

:eyes:

[Mike03]

13. The cause and effect are not as clear as you might like

Fifty percent of everyone who dies of a heart attack does not have a high cholesterol level. It may relate more to inflammation of the arteries, homocystein levels and high triglycerides, as well as calcium binding within the arteries. These issues, in MOST cases, can be remedied by intelligent dietary changes and (even) moderate exercise. Most people do not need to take statin drugs.

Some people do.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. And exercise and diet don't do much...

for people with genetic pre-disposure for high cholesterol.

[DFW]

6. This is ripe for abuse, BUT

As one who had a VERY narrow escape, and now knows that my whole family
is genetically disposed to high cholesterol, I'd recommend that my
children check out cholesterol-inhibiting medication at the first sign
of high levels or arterial clogging. My levels are now way low, and that's
only partially due to a drastic diet change.

If you are eating badly and not genetically inclined toward high cholesterol,
then just eat better. If you eat well and exercise, and still have high cholesterol
then by all means check out medications. Beware of side effects!!!! I have none,
but some people have severe ones. In that case, stop and check for other medication.

[Deja Q]

7. Too much McFilth and Z&Z candies?

:shrug:

I doubt Big Pharma conspired with the big bellies behind fast food, but what the hell... :beer:

[TZ]

10. Big Belly made me eat it!!

ROFL!! :rofl: :rofl:

[DFW]

11. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest

If someone found out that McD and Pfizer were in cahoots, it
would make all the sense in the world (the Government, too,
as earlier dead people with bad diets mean less Social Security
and Medicare to pay out). And I don't even like conspiracy theories.

A member of the German government once let his pants down saying
that the government thought the high percentage of Germans smoking
was a great idea, as they brought in high tobacco taxes while they were
alive and died younger, so easing the burden on the German health system.

I don't think the guy kept his job very long.