Statins are widely used to reduce blood cholesterol levels by slowing down the rate of fatty material deposits. A reported side effect of taking statins is that they also reduce blood pressure. A sample of patients with high blood cholesterol was offered statins as treatment. Their blood pressure was taken before treatment started and at weekly intervals.Table 2 shows the percentage of patients with lower blood pressure several weeks after starting treatment. 440 patients took statins and 300 patients took a placebo (not statins).Explain the conclusion that statins reduce blood pressure.
Question
Statins are widely used to reduce blood cholesterol levels by slowing down the rate of fatty material deposits. A reported side effect of taking statins is that they also reduce blood pressure. A sample of patients with high blood cholesterol was offered statins as treatment. Their blood pressure was taken before treatment started and at weekly intervals.Table 2 shows the percentage of patients with lower blood pressure several weeks after starting treatment. 440 patients took statins and 300 patients took a placebo (not statins).Explain the conclusion that statins reduce blood pressure.
Solution
The conclusion that statins reduce blood pressure is likely drawn from the data collected in the study. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
-
The study started with a sample of patients who had high blood cholesterol. These patients were offered statins as a treatment.
-
The blood pressure of these patients was measured before the treatment started. This served as a baseline or control measure.
-
The patients' blood pressure was then measured at weekly intervals after the treatment started. This allowed the researchers to track any changes in blood pressure over time.
-
The study found that a certain percentage of patients had lower blood pressure several weeks after starting the treatment. This suggests that the statins had an effect on blood pressure.
-
To confirm this, the study also included a control group of patients who took a placebo instead of statins. If the blood pressure of the patients taking statins decreased more than the blood pressure of the patients taking the placebo, this would suggest that the statins were responsible for the decrease.
-
The study concluded that statins reduce blood pressure based on the comparison of the blood pressure changes in the statin group and the placebo group.
Without the actual numbers from Table 2, it's hard to say how strong this conclusion is. However, the conclusion is based on the observed changes in blood pressure in the two groups of patients.
Similar Questions
Statins are medicines which reduce blood cholesterol levels. Different medicines, called ACEinhibitors, can reduce blood pressure.Suggest why statins and ACE inhibitors are only given to individuals with high cholesterol orblood pressure........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ [2](c) Scientists wanted to know if taking statins and ACE inhibitors would reduce the risk ofdeveloping CVD in people with average blood pressure. The scientists recorded the bloodpressure and age of every person who took part in the study.(i) Suggest one more piece of information that would be useful to know about the peoplein the study....................................................................................................................................... [1](ii) The people taking part in the study were put in two groups. One group was given aplacebo. The other group was given statins and ACE inhibitors.Explain why it was ethical to use a placebo in this study........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ [2]
Statins may be prescribed to anyone at risk of cardiovascular disease. They work by:Breaking down cholesterolIncreasing the production of cholesterol by the liverReducing the production of cholesterol by the liverSuppressing the immune system
How do statins help treat coronary heart disease?
Select the correct statements. (Note that there may be more than one correct statement.)Group of answer choicesIncreased sympathetic activity results in an increased activation of α1 adrenoreceptors, which profoundly increases heart rate and therefore cardiac output.Statins decrease plasma LDL concentration because they inhibit an enzyme that is involved in hepatic cholesterol synthesis.Systemic vasoconstriction increases total peripheral resistance and therefore increases mean arterial pressure, too.Hypertension damages endothelium and therefore accelerates the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
Although healthcare providers may prescribe niacin supplements for patients who cannot tolerate statins, the treatment can have several unwanted side effects, such as flushing of the skin and liver damage.Group startsTrue or FalseTrue, unselectedFalse, unselected
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.