Video: AstraZeneca Encourages All Americans to Get Their Cholesterol Checked During National Cholesterol Education Month in Sept
September 01 2009 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Talking with a physician is a key step in setting, achieving, and
maintaining a targeted cholesterol goal WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 1
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Recognizing that September is National
Cholesterol Education Month (NCEM), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) is
urging all adults, especially the 98.6 million Americans over the
age of 20 years old with high cholesterol (1), to talk to their
doctors about elevated cholesterol and get their cholesterol levels
checked. Elevated cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of
plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, which can
begin in early adulthood. (2) For patients with elevated
cholesterol, it is important to work closely with a doctor to set,
achieve, and maintain a desired cholesterol goal. To view the
Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/crestor/39787/ For patients who have
already been diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, National
Cholesterol Education Month should serve as a reminder to see their
doctors, have their cholesterol levels reexamined and determine if
their current cholesterol management plan is still working. To get
the most out of a visit to a doctor, the American Heart Association
recommends asking questions such as: (3) -- How have my cholesterol
numbers changed since they were last checked? Have I lowered my LDL
("bad") cholesterol and raised my HDL ("good") cholesterol? -- Am I
at or close to achieving my desired cholesterol levels? If not,
what other steps should I take? -- Should I consider additional
changes to my diet and lifestyle? Is a cholesterol-lowering statin
something I should consider and talk about with my doctor? NCEM is
also important for people who have not been tested recently or have
never been tested for elevated cholesterol before. Having a doctor
check cholesterol levels can help patients identify whether their
levels of cholesterol are elevated or low. It is important that
these patients work with their doctors to establish a
cholesterol-lowering plan which may include diet, exercise, and if
necessary, medication. For those who learn they have elevated
cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends asking
questions such as: (4) -- What do my cholesterol numbers mean? --
What is my target cholesterol level? -- How often should I have my
cholesterol levels checked? -- How does exercise affect my
cholesterol levels? -- What type of foods should I eat? -- Will I
need a cholesterol-lowering medicine? -- How long will it take to
reach my cholesterol goals? "Many of the patients I see, including
those who have already had their cholesterol checked, often do not
understand the urgency of achieving and maintaining cholesterol
levels that are right for them," said Waenard L. Miller, M.D.,
F.A.C.C., Attending Cardiologist with the Legacy Heart Center in
Plano, Texas. "Talking with your doctor and understanding the steps
you need to take to keep cholesterol levels in check are crucial,
and National Cholesterol Education Month is an opportunity to take
action." Setting, achieving, and maintaining a target cholesterol
goal may involve prescription medications to lower cholesterol.
CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium), may be an appropriate option for
some patients. In adults, CRESTOR is used along with diet to lower
LDL-C, raise HDL-C, and is approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to slow the progression of atherosclerosis at
any stage of the disease as part of a treatment plan to lower
cholesterol to goal. CRESTOR has not been approved to prevent heart
disease, heart attacks, or strokes. CRESTOR is covered by most
health insurance plans and may be available for no more than $25
per month for eligible patients with commercial prescription drug
coverage.+ +Other restrictions may apply. About CRESTOR
(rosuvastatin calcium): In adults, CRESTOR is prescribed along with
diet for lowering high cholesterol. CRESTOR is also prescribed
along with diet to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (the
buildup of plaque in arteries) as part of a treatment plan to lower
cholesterol to goal. CRESTOR has not been approved to prevent heart
disease, heart attacks, or strokes. For more information about
CRESTOR, including full Prescribing Information, visit
http://www.crestor.com/ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: CRESTOR is
not right for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an
allergic reaction to CRESTOR, anyone with liver problems, or women
who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant. Your doctor
will do blood tests before and during treatment with CRESTOR to
monitor your liver function. Unexplained muscle pain and weakness
could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect and should be
reported to your doctor right away. The 40-mg dose of CRESTOR is
only for patients who do not reach goal on 20 mg. Be sure to tell
your doctor if you are taking any medications. Side effects: The
most common side effects are headache, muscle aches, abdominal
pain, weakness, and nausea. For more information about CRESTOR,
including full Prescribing Information, visit
http://www.crestor.com/. About AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca is engaged
in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of
meaningful prescription medicines and in the supply of healthcare
services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical
companies with global healthcare sales of $31.6 billion and is a
leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience,
respiratory, oncology and infectious disease medicines. In the
United States, AstraZeneca is a $13.5 billion dollar healthcare
business. For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our
AZ&Me(TM) Prescription Savings programs, please visit:
http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/. References: 1. American Heart
Association. "Statistical Fact Sheet - Risk Factors." 2009 Update.
Available at
http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1236205246237CHOL.pdf.
Accessed August 13, 2009. 2. Berenson, et al.,1998. Association
Between Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerosis in
Children and Young Adults. The New England Journal of Medicine.
1652, Figure 1. 3. "Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your
Treatment Plan." American Heart Association. About Blood
Cholesterol. Available at
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3006033.
Accessed August 10, 2009. 4. Prescribing Information for CRESTOR.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE.
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/crestor/39787DATASOURCE: AstraZeneca
CONTACT: Corey Windett, +1-302-885-0034, ; or Donna Huang,
+1-302-885-6396, , both of AstraZeneca Web Site:
http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/
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