According to a recent statement from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), statins could be a treatment option for more people to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes. The statement suggests that the use of statins could be extended to people who are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease but have not yet been diagnosed with the condition.
NICE says that individuals with a 10% or higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years could benefit from taking statins. This would cover an estimated 5 million people in England alone who are currently not taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Statins have been widely used for several decades to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. NICE's draft guidance comes as part of a wider effort to improve the prevention and management of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the UK.
In addition to taking statins, NICE also recommends lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The announcement from NICE has been welcomed by many healthcare professionals and organisations, who believe it will help to prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes each year. However, some concerns have been raised about the potential side effects of taking statins, including muscle pain and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
NICE has stressed that patients should speak to their healthcare providers about the benefits and risks of taking statins before starting the medication.
NICE recommends a weekly injection for treating growth failure in children
NICE has recommended a weekly injection for treating growth failure in children. The recommended treatment, known as growth hormone therapy, involves a weekly injection of a hormone called somatropin. This hormone is naturally produced by the body and is responsible for promoting growth in children.
According to NICE, growth hormone therapy is effective in treating children who have growth failure due to growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome or chronic kidney disease. The treatment is also recommended for children with idiopathic short stature who are significantly below the third percentile for height.
NICE further added that the weekly injections should be given under the supervision of a specialist healthcare professional and that the treatment should continue until the child reaches a satisfactory height. The organisation also noted that children receiving growth hormone therapy may experience side effects, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, and that close monitoring is needed to manage these.
The recommendation by NICE is a positive development for children suffering from growth failure. The weekly injections of growth hormone have been shown to be safe and effective and will likely provide children with a better quality of life.