The FDA has approved Crestor (rosuvastatin) for a new use: preventing major heart and blood vessel problems in certain adults who have not yet had a heart attack or stroke. Crestor is a statin, a type of medicine that lowers cholesterol. It was first approved in 2003 for people with high cholesterol. Now, it can also be used for primary prevention in a select group of patients.
Who is this for? Adults without established heart disease who are at increased risk based on age, a high level of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) of 2 mg/L or more, and at least one other heart risk factor such as high blood pressure or smoking. The approval is based on the JUPITER study, which showed that Crestor reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other events in this population.
What does this approval mean? It gives doctors another tool to help prevent first heart attacks or strokes in people with inflammation and other risks. However, it does not mean that everyone with high inflammation should take Crestor. The decision should be made carefully with a healthcare provider.
If you think you might be at risk, talk to your doctor. They can check your inflammation levels and other risk factors to see if Crestor is right for you. This approval is not a recommendation for everyone; it is for a specific group of patients who meet the exact criteria.