According to research, Crestor, a statin, has done what no other drug has managed to do - lower cholesterol and also reverse heart disease. Reseachers say Crestor lowered cholesterol levels in patients in a way never seen before.

Lead researcher, Dr. Steven Nissen, Cleveland Clinic, administered high doses of Crestor (40 milligrams, not the usual 10 milligrams) to 500 patients who had blocked arteries. The team also measured plaque content in the artery walls before and after Crestor treatment - they used miniscule ultrasound probes. The patients were on Crestor for two years.

At the end of the two-year period, patients lost an average of 7-9% of the plaque in their arteries. The researchers said this was an impressive amount for two years. Plaque build up takes many years to accumulate. A 2-9% drop is like turning back the clock several years.

Plaque leads to heart attacks and strokes. Taking away 7-9% means removing many years of accumulation, said Dr. Nissen.

The researchers said it is too early to draw conclusion regarding the drop in heart attacks and strokes globally that this drug could bring about. However, they were excited about what Crestor managed to do with their 500 patients over two years.

Dr. Nissen said that for any doctor, the Holy Grail is being able to reverse a disease.




View drug information on Crestor.