Studies of Male Survivors of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

This study examined life expectancy and serum lipids in 120 men with atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Five-year survival from onset of infarction was 79 per cent. No relationship could be demonstrated between survival and the level of the total serum cholesterol, Std. S f 0-12, 12-20, 20-100, and 100-400 lipoproteins. Survival for patients with an infarct less than 6 months before entry into the study was shorter, despite serum lipid levels the same as the remainder of the group. Although the age of onset of coronary disease is influenced by serum lipid levels, survival subsequent to infarction is not. This paradox suggests that serum lipids affect rate of atherogenesis in the long preclinical stage but in the short clinical stage other factors determine survival.

Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Secondary Prevention Trial Using Clofibrate

“…The risk of apparently healthy individuals developing ischaemic heart disease is increased when hypercholesterolaemia is present (Kagan et al, 1962;Stamler, 1964;Truett et al, 1967). Raised plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides occur in many patients with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, and in those with angina there is an association between hypercholesterolaemia and prognosis (Westlund and Nicolaysen, 1966;Frank et al, 1970) though this may not be so in patients who have had myocardial infarction (Paterson et al, 1963;Little et al, 1965;Frank et al, 1970). The benefit of controlling hyperlipidaemia either in healthy individuals (primary prevention) or in patients with ischaemic heart disease (secondary prevention) can be tested only by establishing large-scale clinical trials.…”

The Great Cholesterol Quandary and Global Consciousness Awakening

“…This paradox suggests that serum lipids affect rate of atherogenesis in the long preclinical stage but in the short clinical stage other factors determine survival. [15]…”

Secondary prevention in survivors of myocardial infarction. Joint Recommendations by the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, Scientific Councils on Arteriosclerosis, Epidemiology and Prevention, and Rehabilitation.

“…In patients with established coronary heart disease some but not all studies indicate that the concentration of plasma cholesterol continues to be a risk factor for recurrent myocardial infarction, albeit a weaker one than for the first attack. [8][9] The evidence from controlled trials justifying plasma lipid reduction in secondary prevention is limited, but the above advice may be given in the knowledge that hypercholesterolaemia probably continues to aggravate coronary artery disease after myocardial infarction, and on the following theoretical bases:…”