“There are fewer and fewer cases of heart attack and stroke every year in the U.S. In terms of major heart attacks that we have had in the past --- the numbers are going down!” Cardiologist Dr. Salim Virani at the Baylor College of Medicine says there are a few reasons for the trend. "Smoking has gone down in our country. We have better therapies as well. Statins do prevent heart attacks from happening as well as strokes." Dr. Virani continues, "With statins, the most common side effect is muscular skeletal problems. Only 10 to 15 % of patients who take statins have those.”
Dr. Virani reminds us that obesity and diabetes are on the rise, though, so don't go loading up on bacon and sour cream just yet. And keep up your moderate but consistent exercise program.