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BRIEF SUMMARY: For full Prescribing Information, see package insert.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE CRESTOR c inflated 1. as an adtunct to diet to
reduce efevated totai-C LOl-C Apo6 nonHOL-C and TG levels ami to increase HOL-C m
patients wtf primary hypercWesteroiemia ihetenlamiiiai! and mixed dystipidemia
(Fredrickson Type lla ano 115) 2 as an adjunct to diet lor the treatment ct patients with
elevated serum TG levels iFredrickson Type IV) 3 to reduce LDL-C. totat-C and Apoß m
patients witn nomozygous tamilai tiyperoftotesterotemia as an adjunct tc otner
!«HHowenng treatments te g LDL apneresisi or if sued treatments are unavaiaoie
CONTRAINDICATIONS CRESTOR is contramccatec rr patients vntfi a known
Hypersensitivity to any component of this product Rosuvastatm is contraindicated in
patients with active kvef disease or with unexplained persstem elevations of serum
transaminases .see WARNINGS Liver Enzymes) Pregnancy and lactation
Atherosclerosis is a chrome process and discontinuation ot Iqnd-iovrenng drugs during
pregnancy snoutd nave little tmoac! on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary
hypercnoiesferoiema Cholesterol and ether products ot cholesterol biosynthesis are
essential components tor tea development (including synthesis of steroids and cell
memoranesi Since HMG-CoA reductase mtotttofs decrease cholesterol synthesis and
possibly the synthesis of other txologicafty active substances derived from cholesterol,
they may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women Therefore HMG*CoA
reoucose inhibitors are contramdicatec durmg pregnane, and m nursing mothers
ROSUVASTATIN SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED TQ WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE ONLY
WHEN SUCH PATIENTS ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO CONCEIVE AND HAVE BEEN
INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZAROS if the patient oecomes pregnant while taking
this drug therapy should tie discontinued immediately and the patient apprsed ot the
potential hazard to the fetus
WARNINGS Liver Enzymes HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors like some otner HpiG
lowenng therapies have been associated with biochemical abnormalities of liver function.
The incidence of persistent elevations (>3 tunes the upper tout of normal [ULN] occur
ring on 2 or more consecutive occasions) m serum transaminases m fixed cose studies
was 04 0 0. and 01% m patients who received rosuvastatm 5 10. 20 and 40 mg.
respectively In most cases tne elevations were transient and resowed or improved on
continued therapy or after a brief interrupter in therapy There were two cases of jaundice,
for v/tveh a relationship to rosuvastatm therapy could not be determined, which resowed
after discontinuation of therapy There were no cases of liver failure or irreversible liver
disease m these trials I a recommended that liver function tests be performed before
and at 12 weeks following both the initiation of therapy and any elevation of dose, and
penodicaify (e g . semiannually thereafter Liver enzyme changes generally occur m
the first 3 months of treatment wth rosuvastatm Patients who develop increased
transaminase «vefs should be monitored until the abnormalities nave resowed Should an
increase in ALT or AST of >3 tunes ULN persist reduction of dose or withdraw? of
'dsuvastatm s recommenoed Rcsuvasatm should be used with caution in patients whe
consume substantial quantities of ataonoi and/or nave a history of hver disease se« CLIN
ICAL PHARMACOLOGY Spec a- Populations lepahc insufteiencv i Active Iw disease cr
unexplained persistent transaminase elevations are contraindications tc tne use ot resuva
stator i see CONTRAiNOtCATIQNS) Myopofhy/Rhabdomyoiysis Rare cases at
rhatioomvoiysij with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria have been
reported with rosuvastatm arm with other drugs in this class. Uncomplicated myalgia
has been reported m rosuvastatin-treated patients (see ADVERSE REACTIONS! Creatine
anase (CK) elevations i >lO tones uoper umit ot normal) occurred m 0.2% to 04% of
patients taking rosuvasotm at doses up to 40 mg m ctoucai studies Treatment-related
myopathy defined as muscle aches or muscle weakness m conjunction with increases m
CK values >lO tones upper limit of normal, was reported mup to 01% of patients taking
rosuvastatin doses of up to 40 mg m corneal studies in ciimcai trials the incidence of
myopathy' and rhatxtomvotysis increased at doses of rosuvasatm above the recom
mended dosage range (5 to 40 mg), in postmarking experience effects on skeletal
muscle, eg uncomplicated myalgia myopathy and rarely rhabdomyotysis have been
reported m patients treated with HMG-CoA reducase inhibitors including rosuvastatm. As
with other HMG-CoA reducase inhibitors, reports ot rhabdomyotysis with rosuvasatm
are rare, but higher at the hignest marketed dose (40 mg) Factors that may predispose
patients to myopathy with HMG-CoA reducase inhibitors include advanced age i >65
years), hypothyroidism and renal insufficiency Consequently 1 nauvasiaim sacutc ot
prescribed with caution m patents with predisposing factors forißfodttiy sock as renal
impairment (see DOSAGE ANO ADMINISTRATION) advanced age and ifMeqMMy
treated hyootfiyromiTV 2 Patients should be advised td promptly report unexplained
muscle pam tenderness or weakness particular*/ it accompanied ov matase or tever
Rosuvastatm foerap. should be dtscommuec it markedly eievatec CK levels occur or
myopathy is dagnosed or suspected 3 The 40 mg dose of rosuvastatm is reserved only
for those patients wno have not achieved meir LDL-C goal utilizing the 2C mg dose of
■esuvasatm once da* (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION! 4 The risk to myopathv
durmg treatment with rosuvastatm mav be increased with concurrent administration of
other kpid-lowering theraoies or cydospome see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Drug
interactions. PRECAUTIONS. Orug interactions. ano OOSA6E AND ADMINISTRATION!
The tenet it ot further aueratiens in lipid levels by foe combined use ot rosuvastatm
with fibrates or omcm .:.a#n be curefoiiy weigfieo against foe potential nsks of this
combination Comtwiutior therapy with rosuvastatm and gemttbrozi! should generally
he avoided (Sec DOSAGE ANO ADMINISTRATION and PRECAUTIONS Drug
interactions! 5 The risk ot myopathy durmg treatment with rosuvastatm may be
increased m circumstances which increase rosuvastatm drag levels (see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY Special Popotatiows. Race and Renal fosatticiency and PRECAU
TIONS. General) 6 Rosuvastatm therapy should also be tumporanly withheld <n arty
patient with an acute senous condition suggestive ot myopathy or predisposing to the
development ot renal failure secondary to rhabdomyotysis te g., sepsis, hypotension,
dehydration maior surgery trauma, severe metabolic endocrine and electrolyte
disorders. or uncontrolled seizures)
PRECAUTIONS General Before instituting therapy with rosuvastatm an attempt
snourc be made to control hypercholesterolemia with appropriate (he; and exercise,
weight reduction m obese patients and treatment ot underlying medical problems ,see
INDICATIONS AND USAGE) Administration of rosuvastatm 20 mg to patents with severe
renal impairment (&<, <3O mi'mm/173 m*l resulted m a 3-foW increase in plasma
concentrations ot rosuvastatm comoarec /ntt heatfov vdunteers see WARNINGS
Myopathy'Rnabflomyoiysis and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) The result of a large
pharmacokinetic study conducted m the JS demonstrated an approximate 2-ftod elevation
ir median exposure in Asian sutMds (having either Ffopmc Chinese Japanese Korean
Vietnamese or Asiar-indon ongui) compared •.•nth a Caucasian control group This
mortise should be consioerec when making rosuvastatm dosmg decisions tor Asian
panents (See WARNINGS MyowfoyßhaodomvWss CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY.
Special Populations Race and DOSAGE ANO ADMINISTRATION Information for
Patients Patients should be advised »report prompter unexplained muscle pam tender
ness y .weakness, particularw rs accompanied by maaise or tever When taxing rosuva
stator with an alummum anc magnesium hydroxide combmabon antacid the antacid
should be taken at least 2 hours ahe' rosuvastatm admmistratior see CUNICAI PHAR
MACOLOGY Drug interactions. Laboratory Tests in foe 'osuvastatm ciimcai total
program dipstick-positive oroteumria and microscopic nematura were observed among
'osuvastatm-treated patients predornmantty m patoerts dosed above the recommenoed
dose range u e 80 mgi However this hndmg v/as more frequent m patients taking
-trsuvastatm 40 mg when compared to lower doses to rosuvasatm or comparator statins,
though it was generally transient and was not associated with worsening renal function
Although the ckrncai significance to Bus fmdmg is unknown a dose 'eduction should be
considered for patients on rosuvastatm 40 mg therapy with unexpiamed persistent
protemuna durmg routine unntoysis testing Drug krteroctiom Cyclosporine When
rosuvastatm 10 mg v/as coadrwrastered with cyclosporine in cardiac transplant patients
'bsuvastttoi mean Cwa, and mean AUC were increased 11-fold and 7-to»d respectively
compared with healthy volunteers These increases are considered to be clinically signifi
cant and require special consideration in the dosing of rosuvastatm to patients taking
concomitant cyclosporine (see WARNINGS Myopathy Rha&domytoysis. and DOSAGE
ANO ADMINISTRATION) Warfarin: Coadmmistration of rosuvastatm to patients on stable
warfarin therapy resulted m clinically significant rises m INR i>4 baseline 2-3). in
patients taking coumann anticoagulants ana rosuvastatin concomitantly INR should be
determined before starting rosuvastatm and frequently enough durmg early therapy to
ensure that no significant alteration ot INR occurs Once a stable INR time nas been Docu
mented. iNR can be monitored at the intervals usually recommended for patients on
coumann anticoagulants if the dose of 'osuvastatm « changed the same procedure
showc be repeated Rosuvastatm therapy has not been associated with weeding or with
changes m INR m patients not taking anticoagulants Gemfibrozil Coadmmistration of a
smgte 'osuvastatm dose tc healthy volunteers on gemfibrozil .'6OO mg twice dailyi
resulted in a 2 2- and i 9-ftod respectively, increase m mean Cm« and mean AUC of
rosuvastatm (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) Endocrine Function Although
diracai studies have shown that rosuvastatm alone does not reduce oasai piasma cortisol
concentration or impair adrenal reserve caution should be exercised it any HMG-CoA
reductase inhibitor or other agent used to lower cholesterol levels is administered
concomitantly with drugs that may decrease the levels or activity ot endogenous steroid
normones such as ketoconazoie spironolactone, and cimeMine CNS Toxicity CNS
vascular lesions, characterized by perivascular nemorrhages. edema anc mononuclear
cell mWtoatoen of perivascular spaces have been observed in oogs treated with several
other members to this drug class. A chemicallv similar drug in this class produced dose
oeoendent optic nerve degeneration (WaHenan degeneration of retmogemcuiate fibers) in
dogs, at a dose that produced plasma drug levels about 30 times higher than the mean
drug level m humans taking tne highest 'ecommended dose Edema hemorrhage, and
partial necrosis in the mterstitium of the choroid plexus was observed in a female dog
sacrificed moribund at day 24 at 90 mg/kg/day by oral gavage (systemic exposures 100
times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons) Corneal opacity
was seen m dogs treated for 52 weeks at 6 mg/kg/day by oral gavage t systemic exposures
20 times the human exposure at 40 mg/oay based on AUC comparisons i Cataracts were
seen in dogs treated for 12 weeks bv orai gavage at 30 mg/kg/day (systemic exposures 60
O
CRESTOR
rosuvastatin calcium
times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons i. Retinas dyspasia
and retinal loss were seen ai oogs treated for 4 weeks by oral gavage at 90 mg kg/day
i system* exposures 100 times the human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC) Doses
<3) mg/kg/day (systemic exposures <BO times the human exposure at 40 mc'dav based
on AUC comparisons i foWcwmg treatment up to one year, did not reveal retinal findings
Carcinogenesis. Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility ir a 104-week
carcmogematy study m rats at dose levels to 2.20 60 or 80 mg/kg/oay by oral gavage.
the incidence ot utenne stromal polyps was significantly increased m females at
80 mg/kg/day at systemic exposure 20 times the human exposure at 40 mg'day based on
AUC increased incidence of ptoyps was not seen at lower doses in a 107-week carcino
genicity study m mice given io 60. 200 mgkg/day by oral gavage an increased
incidence to hepatocellular adenoma/carcinoma was observed at 20C mg/kg/day' at
systemic exposures 20 times human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC An ncreased
incidence of hepatocellular tumors was not seen at lower ooses Rosuvastatm was not
mutagenic or esastogeme with or without metabolic activation m the Ames test with
SauwMa tymmuioi" and Escherichia coh the mouse lymphoma assay, and the chro
mosomal iterator ass: m Chinese hamster lung cefe Rosuvastatm was negative in the
*mo mouse maoaucieus test in rat fertility studies with orai gavage doses of 5.15.
50 mg/kg/day males were treated for 9 weeks prior to ano throughout mating and females
were treated 2 weeks prim tc mating and throughout mating until gestation day 7. No
adverse effect on tertdrty v/as observed at 50 mgkg/day (systemic exposures up to 10
times human exposure at 40 mgday based on AUC comparisons) in testicles to flogs
treated with rosuvastatm at 30 mg/kg/flay fm one month spermatiflic giant cetts were
seen Spermatiflic gun! ceHs were ooservec m monkevs after 6-month treatment at
30 mg/kg/day in addition to vacuoiahon of semimterous tubular epithelium Exposures in
the bog were 20 tones and m the monkey 10 times human exposure at 40 mgeay based
or body surface area comparisons Similar findings nave been seen with other drugs m
ms class Pregnoncy Pregnancy Category X See CONTRAINDICATIONS Rosuvastatm
may cause fetal harm when admmisterea to a pregnant woman Rosuvastatm is
com-aindicatec m women who are or may become pregnant Safer/ in pregnant women
has not been established There are no adequate anc well-controlled studies to 'osuva
statm m pregnant women Rosuvastatm crosses the piacema and is found in fetal tissue
and ammotic fluid at 3% and 2C% respectively of foe maternal plasma concentration
Mowing a single 25 mg/kg oral gavage nose on gestation day 16 m rats. A mqnei tetai
tissue dist'iOubor (25% maternal piasma concentration) v/as observed >n rabbits after a
single oral gavage aose of f mg kg on gestation day 18. If this drug ts administered to a
woman with reproductive potential tne patient should be apprised ot foe potential hazaro
to a fetus, in temale rats given oral gavage coses of 5 15. 50 mg/kg/day rosuvastatm
before mating anc continuing through day 7 postcoitus results m decreased tetai body
weight (female puosi and delayed ossification at the high dose (systemic exposures ’0
times human exposure at 40 mg/day based on AUC comparisons/ in pregnant rats given
orai gavage ooses of 2.20 50 mg/kgday from gestation dav 7 through lactation day 21
iweaning ; decreased pup survival occurred m groups given 50 mgkg/day systemic
exposures >l2 times human exposure at 40 mg/day based on body surface area compar
isons m pregnant rabbits given ora: gavage doses of 0 3.1 3 mg/kg/day from gestation
day 6 io lactation dav 18 tweanmg) exposures equivalent to human exposure at
40 mgoay oasec on bodv surface area comparisons decreased tetai viability
and maternal mortality was observed Rosuvastatm was not teratogenic m rats at
<25 mgkg/day or m rabbits <2 mgkgoay (systemic exposures equivalent to human
exposure at 40 mg eay based on AUC or body surface comparison respectively*
Nursing Mothers : s not known whether 'osuvastatm is excreted m human milk
Studies m aerating rats have demonstrated mat 'osuvastatm is secreted mto oreast milk
at levels 3 tunes higher than that obtained m the toasma Knowing oral gavage dosmg
Because many drugs are excreted m human mii ano because of ’tie potential tor senous
adverse reactions m nursing infants from rosuvastatm 3 decision snoutd be made
whether to discontinue nursing or administration ot rosuvastatm taking into account the
miponance to the drug tc the lactatmg woman Pediatric Use The safety and effec
tiveness m oediatnc patients have not been established Treatment experience with
rosuvastatm m a pediatnc population $ limited to 8 patients mm nomezvgous sh None
to these patients was below 8 years ot age Geriatric Use 0t the 10.275 patients m
dmcaJ studies with rosuvastatm 3.159 (31%) were 65 rears and older, ano 698 (6.8%)
were 75 years and older The overall frequency to adverse events and types to acverse
events were simitar m patients above and below 65 years of age (See WARNINGS
Myooathyßhabdomytoysis.) The efficacy of rosuvastatm m me geriatric population i >65
years to age) was comparable to the eflicacy observec in the non-etoerly
ADVERSE REACTIONS Rosuvastatin is generally well tolerated Aoverse reactions
have usually been miio and transient in ciimcai studies 01 10.275 patients. 3.7% were
discontinued due to adverse experiences attributable to rosuvastatm The most frequent
adverse events thougnt to be related to rosuvastatin were myalgia, constipation asthenia
abdominal pain and nausea Clinical Adverse Experiences Adverse experiences,
regardless ot causality assessment, reported in >2% ol aaiients in placebo-controlled
clinical studies ol rosuvastatm are shown m Table 1 discontinuations due to adverse
events in these studies ot up to 12 weeks duration occurred in 3% ot panents on rosuva
statm and 5% on placebo
Table 1 Adverse Events m Placebo-Controllad Studies
Rosuvastatm
Adverse event (1=744 N=3B2
Pharyngitis 9 5 '6
Headache 55 50
Diarrhea 3.4 2.9
Dyspepsia 34 3 1
Nausea 3.4 3.1
Myalgia 28 13
Asthenia 2.7 2.6
Back pam 2.6 2.4
Flu syndrome 2.3 18
Urinary tract infection 2.3 16
Rhinitis 2 2 2.1
Sinusitis 2.0 18
in addition the following adverse events were reported regardless to causality assess
ment. m >l% of 10.275 patients treated wttn rosuvastatm in ciimcai studies. T he events
m italics occurred in >2% to these patients Body as a Whole: Abdominal pain acci
dental inter, - chest pam. infection pain, pelvic pam and neck pain Cardiovascular
System: Hypertension angina pectoris vasodilatation, ano palpitation Digestive
System: Constipation, gastroenteritis vomiting, flatulence, penodontai abscess, and
gastritis Endocrine: Diabetes meilitus Hemic and Lymphatic System: Anemia and
ecchymosis Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Peripheral edema Musculoskeletal
System: Arthritis, arthratgia and pathological fracture Nervous System: Dizziness
msomma. hypertonia paresthesia depression anxiety vertigo, ano neuralgia
Respiratory System: Bronchitis, cough increases . dyspnea oneumoma and asthma
Skin and Appendages: Bash and pruritus Laboratory Abnormalities: n the rosuvastatm
dimca) trial program, dipstick-positive proteinuria and microscopic hematuna were
observed among rosuvastatm-treated patients, predominantly m patients dosed above the
•ecommenoeo dose range (Le„ 80 mg). However this finding was more frequem m
patients taking rosuvastatm 40 mg. when compared tc (oner doses to rosuvastatm or
comparator statms. though it was generally transient and v/as not associated with wors
ening renal function (See PRECAUTIONS Laboratory Tests) Other abnormal taberator/
values reported were elevated creatinine phospnokmase transammases. hyperglycemia,
giutamvt transpeptraase. alkaline phosphatase Ddirubin. and thyroid function abnormali
ties. Other adverse events reported less frequently than 1% m the rosuvastatm
ciimcai study program, regardless to causality assessment induced arrhythmia,
hepatitis hypersensitivity reactions (i e.. face eoema thrombocytopenia, leukopenia,
vesiauobulious rash, urticaria and angioedema). kidney failure, syncope myasthenia
myositis pancreatitis, pnofosensitivity eaction myopathv and rhabdomyoivsis
Postmcrketing Experience In addition to the events reported above, as with other
drugs m this dass. tne Mowing event has been reported durmg post-marketing experi
ence with CRESTOR. regardless of causality assessment: very rare cases ol jaundice
OVERDOSAGE "here is no specific treatment m the event of overdose in the event
of overdose, the patient should be treated svmpiomaticailv and supportive measures
instituted as required. Hemodialysis does not significantly enhance clearance of
rosuvastatin
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION > patient should be placed on a standard
choiesteroi-iowermg diet before receiving CRESTOR ana should continue on this diet
curing treatment CRESTOR can be acmmistereo as a single dose at any time to day. with
or without food Hypercholesterolemia (Heterozygous Familial and
Nonfamilid) ana Mixed Dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Type lla and lib)
The dose range for CRESTOR is sto 40 mg once daily Therapy with CRESTOR shoulo be
mdividuaiized according to goal of therapy and response The usual recommended
starting dose Df CRESTOR is 10 mg once daily However initiation of therapy with 5 mg
once daily should be considered tor patients requiring less aggressive LDL-C reductions,
wno nave predisposing factors for myopathy and as noted below tor special populations
such as patterns taking eydosoonne. Asian patients, and patients with severe ran? msuf
hoency (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Race and Renat Insufficiency and Drug
interactions For patients with marked hyoercnctesterotemia (LDL-C >l9O mg-dU anc
aggressive lipid targets a 20-mg starting dose mav be considered After initiation and/or
upon titration to CRESTOR. iipio levels snouid oe analyzed within 2 tc 4 weeks anc oesage
adjusted accordingly The 40-mg dose of CRESTOR is reserved only for those patients
who have not achime fttir LDt-C goal utilizing foe 20 mg dose of CRESTOR once
daiiy (see WARNINGS. Myopafoy/Rhabdomyolysis) When initiating statin therapy or
switching from another statin therapy, foe appropriate CRESTOR starting dose should
first be utilized, and onfy then titrated according to the patient s individualized goal to
therapy Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia 'he recommenced
starting dose to CRESTOR is 20 mg once daily m patients with homozygous FH. The
maximum recommenced daitv rose is 40 mg CRESTOR should be used in mese patients
as an adjunct to other bpuHowermg treatments (e.g.. LDL apneresisi or /t such treatments
are unavailable Response tc therapy should be estimated from pre-apheresis iDL-C
! eveis Dosoge in Asian Patients initiation ot CRESTOR therapy with 5 mg once
daily shoulo be considered tor Asian oahems The potential tor increased systemic expo
sures relative to Caucasians is relevant when considering escalation ol dose m cases
where hypercholesterolemia is not adequately controlled at ooses of 5.10 or 20 mg once
daily (See WARNINGS Mvopatny Rnabdomyolysis CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Special
Populations Race and PRECAUTIONS. General, Dosage in Patients Taking
Cyclosporine in oatients taking cydosporme therapy should be limited to CRESTOR
5 mg once daily (see WARNINGS. Mvopathy Rhabdomyoiysis. and PRECAUTIONS. Drug
Interactions' Concomitant Lipid-Lowering Therapy The effect of CRESTOR on
LDL-C and ttoa!-C mav be enhanced when used n combination with a bile acid binding
resm it CRESTOR is useo m combination with gemfibrozil the aose of CRESTOR snouic
be ‘irmtEfl tc 1Q mg once daily (see WARNINGS Mvopathy Rhabdomyotysis ano
PRECAUTIONS Drug Interactions) Dosoge m Patients With Renal
Insufficiency Nc modification ot dosage s necessary for patients with mild
to moderate renai insufficiency For patients with severe renal impairment
(Cl c . <3O mL/mm/i 73 m’) not on nemodiatvsis. (losing of CRESTOR shoulo oe sianec
at 5 mg once daily anc not to exceed 10 mg once daily /see PRECAUTIONS General, anc
CLINiCAI PHARMACOLOGY Special Populations Renal Insufficiency l
NOTE. This summary provides important information about CRESTOR For more infor
mation. please ask your doctor or health care professional about foe full Prescribing
information and discuss it with them
Rxorty
CRESTOR is a trademark ot the AstraZeneca group to companies <0 AstraZeneca 2005
Licensed from ShiONOGi 6 CO. LTD. Osaka Japan
Manufactured tor AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals lP Wilmington DE 19850
By iPR Pharmaceuhcais. inc. Carolina. PR 00984
PCC 630101 30043-00 31028-00 Revoß'os 230799
<4.
AstraZeneca ir
(Continued from page 3)
Healthy Eating" and then "The DASH
Eating Plan,” or obtain a booklet for
$3.50 by contacting the NHLBI Health
Information Center at (301) 592-8573.
Exercise. Since the heart is a muscle,
moderate physical activity can strengthen
the heart, in addition to providing other
important health advantages including
weight control, lower cholesterol levels,
and better circulation and blood pressure.
Start slowly and gradually build up ro at
least 30 minutes, five or more times per
week (or as recommended by your doc
tor). If you don't have a full 30 minutes,
try two 15-minute sessions daily to meet
your goal.
Quit smoking. A smoker's risk for dis
ease is two to three times higher than that
of a nonsmoker, according to Dr. Richard
Stein, director ot preventative cardiology at
Beth Israel Medical Center in New York
City. "If you smoke, it is critical that you
stop," Stein says. The average smoker tries
eight times before stopping; so if you’ve
tried before, try again.
Know your numbers. Everyone
should know four numbers: your blood
pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar and
waist size. Consult your physician about
healthy parameters, and keep the numbers
in check through diet, exercise and, if nec
essary, medication. Get regular checkups,
beginning with blood pressure screenings
during childhood. Adults should have
their cholesterol measured at least once
every five years. Check your blood sugar
as recommended by a physician in order
to prevent or manage diabetes. Diabetes,
which occurs when the body does not
process blood sugar properly, can impair or
destroy blood vessels and increase the risk
lor a heart attack.
Listen to your body. Ask yourself:
Could I have cardiovascular disease? If
you feel chest pain, palpitations, dizziness
or shortness of breath during physical
activity, see a doctor.
It’s never too early to prevenr cardio
vascular disease or too late to address
its causes, according to Fletcher, who
says good health starts with the daily
choices that each individual makes.
"We cannot expect the medical pro
fession to take care of us,” Fletcher says.
“We take care of our cars, we have our
televisions repaired and we do things to
make our boats run better. But we only
have one body and, il we don't take care
ot it, we don’t get another one.” 3^
Amy Green is u freelam writer in Orlando. Via.
www.americanprofile.com •
Page 4