February-Heart Disease

February is American Heart Month

Nearly 83 million Americans have one or more forms of heart disease. Although drug discoveries played a major role in reducing deaths from heart attacks and stroke by 30% between 1998 and 2008, cardiovascular disease still claims a life every 39 seconds, making it the leading cause of death of Americans.^[i]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported at the end of 2007 that U.S. adults reached an average cholesterol level in the ideal range (below 200) for the first time in 50 years.^[ii] Authors of the report attribute the drop to the increased use of cholesterol-lowering medicines in the over-60 population, but warn that increasing obesity rates could wipe out gains.^[iii]

Prevention and treatment can also help to control related healthcare costs. The annual cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke is an estimated $297.7 billion, including treatment for those who have survived heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, the cost of treating heart disease is expected to triple between 2010 and 2030, due in large measure to the aging of America.^[iv]

However, recent research published in the journal Health Affairs demonstrates the important role of medicines in controlling healthcare spending. The study found that for patients with congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia (lipid disorders including high cholesterol), adherence to medicines leads to lower total health care costs. Although better adherence to medicines resulted in increased drug spending, significant reductions in emergency department visits and inpatient hospital days offset this spending and resulted in substantial health care cost savings. For example, adherent patients with congestive heart failure spent an additional $1,058 annually on medicines, but reduced their medical spending by $8,881, for a total offset of $7,823.^[v]

Learn more below about cardiovascular disease, the new medicines that are in development to treat it, and the researchers who are dedicated to improving outcomes for patients.

New Medicines in Development

Biopharmaceutical researchers are testing nearly 300 medicines for two of the three leading causes of death of Americans: heart disease and stroke. Medicines currently being studied are aimed both at preventing cardiovascular disease and treating the symptoms of those who already suffer from it. Read more

Recent FDA Approvals for Cardiovascular Disease

The following medicines have recently received FDA approval for various forms of heart disease:

» Edarbi^TM – azilsartan medoxomil (approved 2/25/2011)

For the treatment of hypertension

» Daliresp^® - roflumilstat (approved 2/28/2011)

For the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

» Pradaxa^® – dabigatran etexilate mesylate (approved 10/19/2010)
For the prevention of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation

» Livalo^® – pitavastatin – (approved 8/3/2009)
For the improvement of blood cholesterol levels in persons with elevated or abnormal blood cholesterol levels.

» Effient^TM– prasugrel hydorchloride (approved 7/10/2009)

For reducing the risk of blood clots from forming during angioplasty.

» Multaq^®– dronedarone (approved 7/1/2009)

For use in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter; to be used in patients whose hearts have returned to normal rhythm or who will undergo drug or electric-shock treatment to restore a normal heart beat.

» Samsca^TM– tolvaptan (approved 5/19/2009)
For treatment of hyponatremia (low concentration of sodium in the blood) associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

Click here for a full list of recent FDA approvals in all disease areas.

Then & Now – Treatment of High Cholesterol
It's easy to forget, but not very long ago the treatments we might today take for granted hadn't yet been developed. Click here to read about past and present treatment options for high cholesterol and its effects on cardiovascular health.

Featured Studies and Reports
As part of its ongoing effort to encourage new research and pharmaceutical innovation, Innovation.org highlights key studies and reports into critical disease areas. Read about new studies in cardiovascular disease.

Statins Help Reduce the Risk of Stroke (May 1, 2009) Read more
Cardiovascular Deaths Falling, but Risk Factors on the Rise (December 15, 2008) Read more

Charts
Review the charts below for recent analysis specific to cardiovascular disease.

Click here to view all of Innovation.org's charts.

Heart Disease and Stroke Links

Find links to additional organizations and resources related to heart disease and stroke. Read more

^[i]V. Roger, et. al., "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2012 Update. A Report from the American Heart Association Circulation, 125 (2012): e3-e218. Available at: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/125/1/e2.full#sec-3 (accessed 11 January 2012).

^[ii]S.E. Schober, M.D. Carroll, D.A. Lacher, R. Hirsch, “High Serum Total Cholesterol – An Indicator for Monitoring Cholesterol Lowering Efforts: US Adults, 2005-2006,” NCHS data brief no 2, (Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2007).

^[iii]Associated Press, “First Time in 50 Years, Average American Adult’s Cholesterol in Ideal Range,” 12 December 2007, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316562,00.html (accessed 17 December 2007).

^[iv]V. Roger, et. al., "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2012 Update. A Report from the American Heart Association Circulation, 125 (2012): e3-e218. Available at: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/125/1/e2.full#sec-3 (accessed 11 January 2012).

^[v]M.C. Roebuck, et al., “Medication Adherence Leads to Lower Health Care Use and Costs Despite Increased Drug Spending,” Health Affairs, 30 (January 2011): 1, p. 91-99.