Heart disease: 'Drugs that can turn the clock back' could be a life-saver for those at risk of heart attacks and strokes
Millions of people suffering from hardening of the arteries may be able to reverse their condition and stave off heart attacks and strokes by taking high doses of a new cholesterol-busting drug.
An international study of 349 patients found that intensive therapy with Rosuvastatin could break down the build-up of fatty deposits, known as atherosclerosis in the arteries.
Researchers revealed that 78% of the patients demonstrated some reduction in the level of hardening of the arteries. The reductions were found to be greatest in the most clogged arteries.
This is the first time scientists have discovered a way of reversing clogging of the arteries.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "Previously it was thought that statins saved lives by stabilising plaques - the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries, thereby preventing them from rupturing to cause a heart attack or stroke.
"This study encouragingly seems to demonstrate a small but definite regression of atherosclerotic plaques."
• ick Kirwan, chairman of the Association of British Insurers critical illness (CI) working party, believes this is great neews for patients.
"This latest research suggests that there are drugs that can turn the clock back," he said.
However, Kirwan does not think life and CI premiums will be directly affected.
He said: "It is not likely to have an effect on premiums as future medical advances have already been accounted for.
"There will also not be any changes to the critical illness definitions as a result of this.
"That said, I think at the moment the industry gets very hung up on trends likely to increase premiums rather than developments like this, which helps to keep critical illness insurance sustainable."
At least two million people in Britain are believed to suffer from hardening of the arteries, which can cause heart attacks and strokes.
However, there is no evidence unclogged arteries will mean fewer strokes and heart attacks.
