Rosuvastatin Calcium is a cholesterol-lowering medicine that is taken orally to decrease the risk of stroke. Rosuvastatin Calcium is an adjunctive therapy (therapy that is used in conjunction with other measures, as opposed to the main source of therapy) to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, notably LDL-C and HDL-C, respectively.
LDL-C is low-density lipoprotein. HDL-C is high-density lipoprotein. Bad cholesterol, LDL-C, results in the build-up of fatty deposits in, and the narrowing of, blood vessels. This can lead to a blockage of blood flow and result in a stroke. Cholesterol is made up of lipids. Rosuvastatin Calcium works to decrease the fatty deposit buildup to prevent stroke by lowering lipids in the bloodstream.
Not all cholesterol is bad and the body needs a healthy balance; however, too much of LDL-C can lead to heart disease and stroke. The body produces all the necessary cholesterol it needs. Any additional cholesterol consumed is therefore superfluous. However, HDL-C removes LDL-C from the bloodstream, into the liver to be reproduced into bile and the body then discards of this waste. HDL-C is beneficial to the body because it helps remove excess cholesterol. HDL-C essentially cleans the lining of blood vessels.
Crestor is a brand name of Rosuvastatin Calcium. It is reported on the Crestor website that cholesterol can be lowered as soon as two to four weeks of usage, depending upon individual factors. In a JUPITER, “Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin,” study, The FDA found that instances of heart attack were reduced by as much as 54 percent and stroke as much as 48 percent in participants versus those who were given a placebo.
High cholesterol can be determined by contributing factors, such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, family history of early heart disease, diabetes and age. Rosuvastatin Calcium is an adjunctive therapy while changing one’s dietary intake is paramount.
Sources
CRESTOR. (2014, January). The Benefits of Crestor. Retrieved from http://www.crestor.com/c/about-crestor/crestor-benefits.aspx
Platisha, Heather. (2010, February). FDA Approves Crestor to Reduce Stroke, Heart Attack Risk. Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-crestor-reduce-stroke-heart-attack-risk-1992.html
RxList. (2013, August 13). Crestor. Retrieved from http://www.rxlist.com/crestor-drug/indications-dosage.htm
WebMD. (2012, June 21). HDL Cholesterol: The Good Cholesterol. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/hdl-cholesterol-the-good-cholesterol
