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Statins reduce cardiovascular risk in a broad range of patients with, or at risk for, coronary artery disease (CAD). To assess statins’ potential benefits in heart failure (HF) patients, researchers analyzed data from 54,960 Medicare beneficiaries (mean age, 79; 86% white; 58% women) hospitalized with HF from 1998 through 2001 and tracked by the National Heart Care Project. Comorbidities included diabetes (40% of patients), hypertension (64%), and CAD (58%).
At discharge, 16.7% of those without contraindications received statins, with higher rates among younger men and patients with histories of MI, CAD, revascularization procedures, diabetes, and hypertension. Statin recipients also were more likely than nonrecipients to receive ACE inhibit…