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As we age, the health of human blood vessels has become a topic that cannot be ignored. Blocked blood vessels not only affect quality of life, but can also be life-threatening.
A drug that is known as the "cleaner" of blood is attracting a lot of attention from the medical community.
What's so amazing about this drug? How does it help us stay away from the threat of clogged blood vessels? Let's demystify this together.
This drug, known as the "cleaner" of the blood, is actually the statin we are familiar with.
Statins are drugs that are effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels and are widely used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. With the deepening of research, scientists have found that statins are not only simple lipid-lowering drugs, but also have multiple protective effects on blood vessels.
The main mechanism of action of statins is to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. It reduces cholesterol production in the liver by blocking the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate monoacyl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). This not only lowers the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood, but also increases the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which effectively improves the blood lipid profile.
According to data from the Chinese Working Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines, about 40% of the adult population in mainland China has dyslipidemia. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors for atherosclerosis, which is the pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Controlling blood lipid levels is essential for the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, dyslipidemia belongs to the category of "phlegm turbidity" and "blood stasis". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that phlegm turbidity and blood stasis are intertwined, blocking the flow of qi and blood, resulting in blockage of blood vessels. The effect of statins can be understood in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine as "dissolving phlegm and dispersing knots, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis". This coincides with the traditional treatment ideas of traditional Chinese medicine and reflects the advantages of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.
Statins not only lower blood lipids, but also have a variety of vasoprotective effects. Studies have shown that statins improve vascular endothelial function and increase nitric oxide production, which in turn improves vasodilation. It also inhibits the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Statins also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the development and development of atherosclerosis. Statins further protect blood vessel health by reducing levels of inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein and reducing oxidative stress.
In clinical application, statins have shown significant cardiovascular protective effects. A number of large-scale clinical trials have confirmed that long-term use of statins can significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
For example, the well-known 4S study (Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study) showed that treatment with simvastatin for 5.4 years reduced coronary heart disease mortality by 42% and overall mortality by 30%.
Although statins are effective, not everyone needs to take them. The doctor will decide whether to use statins based on a comprehensive evaluation of the individual's cardiovascular risk factors, blood lipid levels, etc.
In general, statins may be more important to consider in the following populations:
- Patients who already have atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke
- People with diabetes, especially those over 40 years of age or with other cardiovascular risk factors
- Patients with persistently elevated LDL-C levels
- Middle-aged and older adults with multiple cardiovascular risk factors
Although statins are safe, they may also have some side effects, such as abnormal liver function, muscle pain, etc. Liver function and muscle enzyme levels need to be monitored regularly while taking statins. Some people may worry that long-term use of statins will affect their memory.
Most studies have not found a clear association between statins and cognitive decline. Conversely, studies have shown that statins may protect cognitive function by improving cerebrovascular function.
In addition to medication, a healthy lifestyle is equally important. Eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol are all key measures to protect vascular health.
From a dietary point of view, it is possible to consume more foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil, nuts, fish, etc. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits, can also help lower cholesterol levels.
In terms of exercise, it is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc. Not only can exercise help with weight control, but it can also increase HDL-C levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for vascular health.
The "combination of movement and static" in the concept of traditional Chinese medicine health preservation is also worthy of our reference. In addition to exercise, proper relaxation and rest are equally important. Traditional health exercises such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin can not only exercise the body, but also regulate emotions, and have a unique role in the maintenance of vascular health.
As the population ages, vascular health issues are becoming more and more prominent. Statins act as "cleaners" of the blood, providing us with an effective regimen for the protection of blood vessels.
But medication isn't the only option. A healthy lifestyle such as a reasonable diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, and maintaining a good attitude is the fundamental way to maintain vascular health.
For middle-aged and elderly people, regular physical examination and early detection of dyslipidemia are particularly important. If dyslipidemia is found, prompt measures should be taken under the guidance of a physician and statins should be considered if necessary.
We also need to recognize that prevention is better than cure. Only by paying attention to vascular health from a young age and developing good lifestyle habits can you lay a solid foundation for a healthy life in the future.
Although statins are effective, not everyone needs to take them. The use of statins should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor and should not be taken or discontinued. Even taking statins does not mean that you can relax your lifestyle management.
The combination of medication and lifestyle intervention is the best solution to maintain vascular health.
Let's focus on vascular health, stay away from the threat of clogged blood vessels, and lay the foundation for a healthy and long life. The older we get, the more important we are to pay attention to the health of our blood vessels, and statins, the "cleaners" of blood, are our right-hand men.
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