A new survey found that there’s a real and potentially dangerous misunderstanding about available treatment options for lowering blood cholesterol levels, and much of the confusion seems to stem from poor communication between patients and doctors. The survey of over 5,000 Americans aged 45 and older found that patients stop taking statins for high cholesterol despite the risks to their health primarily because they aren’t talking with their doctors enough, they aren’t aware of drug interactions and they may not be taking the right medicine for their individual needs.
The survey—ACTION: The Statin Survey (Understanding Patient Adherence and Concerns with Statins, and Medication Discussions with Physicians)—is now serving as the catalyst behind a national education campaign aimed at increasing public understanding of high cholesterol as a key risk factor for heart disease and to providing strategies that empower people to stay on their doctor-prescribed statin medications.
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., recently commissioned Harris Poll to conduct their survey in an attempt to find out why so many Americans who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol and have ever taken a statin for it - including high-risk heart disease populations such as people with type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure and those age 65 years or older - quit taking their cholesterol medications even though they know the possible consequences to their overall health.
A company focused primarily on cardiometabolic diseases, Kowa, along with well-known television talk-show host and heart disease survivor, Regis Philbin and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation have launched a national education campaign to encourage people to speak frankly with their doctors about statin therapy.
The Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign aims to help patients develop strategies to stick with statins—cholesterol-lowering drugs Philbin and campaign supporters call life-saving medications. Through the campaign, Philbin, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., and the AAFP Foundation are promoting this message: “Stay on your heart-healthy routine and speak up before you stop your statin. Multiple statins are available, and by proactively having a frank discussion with their doctor, people can find a statin that fits their individualized needs.”
The Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that some 71 million American adults (33.5%) have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol. The organization also reports that people with high cholesterol have about twice the risk of heart disease - the leading cause of death in the United States - as people with lower levels. Also, according to the DHDSP, less than half of American adults with high LDL cholesterol get treatment for the condition, even though lowering your cholesterol can reduce your risk of having a heart attack, needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty, and dying of heart disease.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. And though your body needs some cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke when you have too much in your blood. High cholesterol is defined as total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL based on guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). When cholesterol levels rise, thick, hard buildup can occur in the artery wall, narrowing arteries and slowing down or even blocking blood flow to the heart and brain.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has for years advocated healthy lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise to reduce blood cholesterol levels. But America’s heart experts also sing the praises of cholesterol-lowering medications when recommended by a physician.
“For some people, lifestyle changes…may prevent or treat unhealthy cholesterol levels. For others, medication may also be needed,” the AHA website states. “If you have to take medication, you may feel disappointed. That’s OK – it’s normal. But don’t let your feelings stop you from taking your meds. Set up a routine, and stick to it. The minor inconvenience of medication vastly outweighs the devastation of a cardiovascular event.”
The AHA says although there are various cholesterol-lowering medications, “statins are recommended for most patients because they’re the only cholesterol-lowering drug class that’s been directly associated with reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.”
The AHA Guidelines recommend that people in any of these four groups talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of statin therapy:
- Adults 40-75 years of age with LDL (bad) cholesterol of 70-189 mg/dL and a 7.5% or higher risk for having a heart attack or stroke within 10 years.
- People with a history of a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke, stable or unstable angina, peripheral artery disease, transient ischemic attack, or coronary or other arterial revascularization).
- People 21 and older who have a very high level of LDL (bad) cholesterol (190 mg/dL or higher).
- People with diabetes and a LDL (bad) cholesterol level of 70-189 mg/dL who are 40 to 75 years old.
There are no symptoms that warn a person that they have high cholesterol, though your doctor can do a simple blood test to check your levels. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults get their cholesterol checked every five years.
According to organizers of the Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign, despite the proven benefits of statin therapy in reducing heart disease, at least 50 percent or more of people on a statin medication discontinue it within one year after treatment initiation, and consistency of use decreases over time. So they hope to educate people on the importance of being tested and if prescribed a medication, sticking to it.
To that end, Kowa commissioned the poll, ACTION: The Statin Survey (Understanding Patient Adherence and Concerns with Statins, and Medication Discussions with Physicians), one of the largest surveys of its kind to date. In short, the survey found:
- There is a clear need for expanded physician-patient dialogue about statins: When patients were first prescribed a statin, only 33% say their healthcare provider explained why that particular statin was being prescribed. Also, when first prescribed a statin, just 21% of patients say that their healthcare provider told them that there are different types of statins available. Just 18% say they were told that their prescribed statin could potentially interact with other medications and supplements.
- Patients may be unaware of the risks of drug-to-drug interactions: Despite the large average number of medications (7.7) that patients currently treated with a statin are taking in addition to their statin, 76% who are taking another medication concurrently say they are not concerned about their statin interacting with other medications or supplements.
- Patients need to make sure their statin is right for them: 24% currently taking a statin say they have had challenges with the first statin they took, and even more significantly, 62% of past statin users (those not currently taking a statin) said the same.
- Family physicians are in a unique position to shape patients’ statin experiences: 82% of patients were first diagnosed by their family practitioner or internist, and 70% currently work with their family doctor to manage their cholesterol.
“The ACTION survey results underscore the need for patients and physicians to have an open dialogue about statin therapy and cardiovascular disease prevention. Patients should feel comfortable asking their doctor questions so they understand which statin is most appropriate for them based on their individual health profile, including current medications and their heart disease risk factors,” said Craig A. Sponseller, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. “Statins are at the cornerstone of blood cholesterol management, and understanding how statins differ across patient profiles is critical. Along with our partners, we are proud to launch this new campaign that empowers patients to speak up and ask questions to their doctor regarding statin therapy rather than stopping treatment.”
Regis Philbin, Emmy award-winner and former host of beloved television shows, Live with Regis and Kelly and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, said supporting the campaign initiative is just an extension of his long history of bringing information to a knowledge-craving public, “During my 50 plus years speaking to Americans in their living rooms, I’ve always talked from the heart, including about my heart disease and major heart surgeries,” he said. “My heart health issues began in 1992 when I was on set with Kathie Lee Gifford and experienced sudden shortness of breath and chest pains. I was shocked to learn I had a blocked artery and would need angioplasty right away.”
In 2007, Philbin was forced to undergo triple bypass surgery. “From then on getting my high cholesterol in check has been a major priority. I worked with my doctor to find the right statin for me and try to stick to a heart-healthy diet with plenty of exercise,” he said. “I recently learned that many people stop taking their statins after a year of starting them, and often aren’t told by their doctor that there are multiple statin options available. That’s why I’m now involved in Take Cholesterol to Heart.”
Philbin left his “Live” show after 28 years in November of 2011. Since then he has been enjoying his more relaxed schedule with television guest roles and appearances on talk shows.
Central to the Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign are videos featuring Philbin’s personal heart-health story and tips to empower people to “master the cholesterol conversation” with their doctor. Other Take Cholesterol to Heart resources include:
- Discover Your Statin Profile quiz
- Doctor Discussion Guide
- Cholesterol 101
- Heart Healthy Recipes: Smart Substitutions for Cooking
- ACTION: The Statin Survey Fact Sheet
As part of the Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign, the AAFP Foundation’s educational consumer resource, www.FamilyDoctor.org, now includes survey results and information about the importance of discussing your individual statin profile with your doctor. The Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians with the mission of advancing the values of family medicine by promoting humanitarian, educational and scientific initiatives that improve the health of all people.
Kowa Company, Ltd. (Kowa) is a privately held, multinational company headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. Established in 1894, Kowa is actively engaged in various business fields, including the trading of textiles, machinery and construction materials, in addition to the manufacturing and sales of medicines, medical equipment and energy saving products. Kowa's pharmaceutical division is focused on research and development for cardiovascular therapeutics (dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis), ophthalmology and anti-inflammatory agents.
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., headquartered in Montgomery, AL, is focused primarily in the area of cardiometabolic therapeutics. Established in September 2008, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America focuses its efforts on the successful commercialization of its current and near-term portfolio of pharmaceutical products and business development activities.
You can also find Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign on Facebook.
