ADOLPH M. HUTTER, Jr., MD: There are a number of medications that are actually very effective in preventing heart attacks and other forms of atherosclerosis. One is the simple drug aspirin. Aspirin has been shown to reduce strokes in women and heart attacks in men.
Another very important class of drugs are the drugs called statins. The statins are drugs that lower the bad cholesterol, the LDL. They lower it very effectively, and many studies have shown that these drugs can prevent the onset of heart disease and the progression of heart disease if you already have it.
A class of drugs called beta blockers can be very effective in protecting people who have already had a heart attack. They're also helpful in controlling blood pressure and controlling angina, which is a symptom of chest discomfort due to a blockage in the artery.
ANNOUNCER: It is also crucial that a patient makes lifestyle modifications.
ADOLPH M. HUTTER, Jr., MD: Heart disease is very preventable. You must absolutely stop smoking. You must have a low cholesterol, particularly the low bad cholesterol, the LDL. You must have your blood pressure controlled. You should exercise regularly and keep a lean weight.
RICHARD P. LEWIS, MD: We have made enormous strides in treating cardiovascular disease in all types. We can prevent the progression of this disease or the occurrence of clinically significant disease with our modern treatments if people will but do them. And it's not a disaster, even if you have the disease.
