Health Centres - Zocor heart-pro (simvastatin)
How does it work?
Zocor heart-pro tablets contain the active ingredient simvastatin, which is a type of medicine called a statin. It works by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver.
For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol; a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 'good' sort called high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is deposited in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease by clogging and narrowing the arteries (atherosclerosis), while HDL actually protects the arteries against this.
Simvastatin decreases the production of LDL cholesterol by blocking the action of the enzyme in the liver (called HMG-CoA reductase) that is responsible for its production. This decreases the amount of cholesterol in the liver cells, which causes them to take up LDL cholesterol from the blood. The decreased cholesterol production and increased removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood ultimately results in lowered blood cholesterol levels.
The body produces most cholesterol at night, so simvastatin is more effective when taken in the evening.
Simvastatin also causes a small decrease in the production of other 'bad fats' in the blood called triglycerides, and a small increase in the level of HDL cholesterol. This results in lowered levels of 'bad fats' and raised levels of 'good fats' in the blood.
Statins have an important role in the prevention of coronary heart disease because they reduce the risk of excess cholesterol being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart. Any blockage in the blood vessels limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. This can cause angina (chest pain), and in severe cases can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Statins are normally prescribed by doctors to reduce the risk of heart attacks in people who are at high risk of having a heart attack due to various risk factors, or who already have coronary heart disease (angina or a past heart attack). Zocor heart-pro, however, contains a lower dose of statin than that normally prescribed, and can be bought without a prescription from pharmacies. It is licensed to be sold to people considered to be at moderate risk of a heart attack. Remember that the risk of a heart attack can be lowered through stopping smoking, eating healthily, losing weight and taking regular exercise. This medicine can be used in addition to lifestyle changes to further lower heart attack risk, but you should remember that for it to be effective it will need to be taken long-term.
What is it used for?
- Reducing the risk of a heart attack in people at moderate risk of coronary heart disease. Moderate risk is defined as people who have a 10 to 15 per cent chance of having a heart attack in the next ten years.
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