In the past, research studies have shown that statin therapy can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (sometimes referred to as 'bad cholesterol') and slow down the progression of coronary artery disease. However, until now, there were no studies demonstrating that statin therapy could either stop the progression or cause regression of fatty deposits in the linings of the blood vessels supplying the heart. In a recent issue of Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, scientists reported that a statin drug called rosuvastatin (marketed as Crestor®) could produce regression of heart disease.

In this study, 507 heart disease patients were treated with rosuvastatin for 24 months. The researchers found that rosuvastatin therapy lowered LDL levels by about 53% and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (sometimes called 'good cholesterol') by almost 14%. And, 97% of the patients in the study experienced either stabilization or regression of their heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends that patients with heart disease keep their LDL cholesterol under 70. In this study, two years of rosuvastatin lowered LDL cholesterol to an average of 61 and raised HDL cholesterol, which is thought to have a protective effect against coronary artery disease. Although the effect of these findings on the likelihood of having heart attack is not known, these results are promising for the millions of Americans with heart disease.