Statins may save the lives of people at risk of dying from COVID-19 – major new finding
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Numerous studies have found that cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 are inextricably linked. This is mainly because the presence of underlying cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 is associated with higher mortality. However, researchers believe that individuals with heart disease or high blood pressure may be less likely to die from COVID-19 if they use statins, according to a study.
Lori Daniels, professor and director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at UC San Diego Health, and colleagues wrote: “Because cardiovascular disease and hypertension (high blood pressure) are both prominent risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 and are also conditions commonly treated with statins and antihypertensive medications, there is complex interplay between the effects of these conditions and medications.”
Professor Daniels and colleagues explained that they attempted to disentangle the interactions of statins and heart disease and high blood pressure using propensity-score matched analysis arranged by comorbidity status, which refers to the presence of one or more health conditions is having with a primary illness.
The researchers analysed data gathered from 10,541 patients at 104 US hospitals, with a median age of 66 years.
Of the study subjects, 66 percent had a history of hypertension, 41 percent had obesity, 40 percent had diabetes, 40 percent had dyslipidemia and 32 percent suffered from cardiovascular disease.
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All patients were hospitalised with COVID-19 and 42 percent of patients used statins prior to hospitalisation.
Patients were excluded from the study if they were under 40 years old, diagnosed with COVID-19 after their discharge, transferred from another hospital or had an unknown final disposition.
The researchers found that, compared with patients who did not take statins, outpatient use of statins was associated with a reduced risk for death.
They also found that the use of statins and/or antihypertensives was correlated with reduced risk for death from COVID-19 among those with CVC and/or high blood pressure.
Professor Daniels added: “Our study reinforces the AHA and others’ recommendation that not only is it safe to remain on these medications, but they may substantially reduce risk of severe COVID-19 and especially death from COVID-19, particularly statins, and particularly among those with associated underlying conditions.
“Whether these medications are also protective among individuals without underlying indications for taking them such as SVS or hypertension is less clear and merits further study.
“Several randomised trials are currently underway evaluating the use of these medications for treatment of COVID-19.”
Researchers had previously discovered that statins and other anti-hypertensive medicine stabilise underlying diseases, making patients more likely to recover from COVID-19.
They stated that patients with a good reason to take statins could benefit from the drug’s ability to inhibit the virus.
Statins are usually prescribed to patients with a family history of heart disease, or a long-term health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, or type 1 or 2 diabetes.
The drug is one of the most widely prescribed in the UK, with nearly eight million people using it to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels.
Statin’s ACE2 receptor – the regulatory target of statins, helps control blood pressure. In 2020, scientists discovered that the COVID-19 virus used the same receptor to enter lung cells.
The NHS recommends having a blood test to ensure your liver is in relatively good condition before taking statins, as the drug “should not be taken if your liver is not working properly”.
Furthermore, the drug can react unpredictably with certain other substances, potentially increasing the risk of serious side effects, such as muscle damage.
Some medicines that can interact with different types of statin medications include:
- Certain antibiotic and antifungals
- Certain HIV medications
- Warfarin – a medicine commonly used to prevent blood clots
- Ciclosporin – a medicine that suppresses the immune system and is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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