PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A major new study suggests physicians need to be more proactive in recommending certain medications to fight heart disease.
The CLEAR Outcomes study looked at medications used to fight heart attacks and strokes, and the results are mixed.
The good news: Lipid-lowering drugs called statins are even more effective than previously thought. Statins have been used for many years and the study encourages wider use.
The bad news: According to the study, physicians in the United States and around the world are not being proactive in recommending medications for many high-risk patients who could benefit.
They consistently prescribe the drugs after a cardiac event, but not as often in high-risk people before a potential cardiac event.
The authors of the study hope the information will change practice patterns.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
