Pfizer Lipitor study maintains heart attack reduction

The benefits of controlling multiple cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously have been explored in the post-hoc analysis of a five-year study.

Pfizer-manufactured cholesterol management drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) was given to a majority of patients taking blood pressure-lowering medication during a two-year period following a three-year Lipitor/placebo trial.

All patients suffered from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors at the beginning of the trial and the use of Lipitor was found to maintain a 36 per cent reduction in the risk of heart attacks throughout the five-year period.

European Health Journal published the results, which study principal investigator Professor Peter Sever said displayed “significant clinical implications”.

By combining Lipitor early with blood pressure-lowering drugs, the reduction in risk of heart attacks could be maximised, he added.

In addition, Professor Bryan Williams, chairman of the British Hypertension Society Guidelines working party, said the study was useful in highlighting the importance of blood pressure and cholesterol treatment initiation as early as possible.

Lipitor is also used to treat sufferers of type 2 diabetes.