Cardiologists to address controversies at upcoming conference

MURRAY – More than 250 physicians from throughout the Intermountain West will gather at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray on Saturday to learn about the latest developments in heart care, including updates on the latest concerns about statin drugs and blood thinners.
 
Developments in heart care are occurring at a rapid pace. Cardiac experts from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute will update physicians on everything from developments and improvements in cardiac imaging to advances in heart failure treatment, atrial fibrillation management and advances in technology and surgery, which are providing new hope to heart patients.
 
The conference runs from 8 am to noon this Saturday (March 17) at the Doty Education Center at Intermountain Medical Center, 5300 South and State Street in Murray.
 
Two presentations will discuss timely and controversial topics. Intermountain Heart Institute cardiologists Jeffrey Anderson, MD, and Brent Muhlestein, MD, will discuss developments and recent controversies on statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs taken by nearly 32 million Americans.
 
The US Food and Drug Administration warned recently that statins may cause memory loss and raise blood sugar levels. Addressing these concerns, Dr. Anderson will stress the importance of statins for appropriate patients because the benefits still greatly outweigh the risks.  
 
“Statins are drugs that have been shown to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and even death,” Dr. Anderson says. “And while there are studies that have shown statins can raise blood sugar levels and possibly cause some temporary memory loss, those risks generally are far outweighed when considering the drug’s benefit.”
 
Intermountain Heart Institute cardiologist Brian Crandall, MD, will provide information on the benefits and risks of three of the most commonly used blood thinners, including Dabigatran, Warfarin, and Rivaroxaban.
 
A study published last week adds to the growing concern that Dabigatran, a new type of blood thinning medication, can lead to uncontrollable bleeding. Dr. Crandall will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the three available drugs.
 
Nearly one out of four deaths in Utah are due to heart disease. About 3,500 Utahns die each year from heart disease and stroke. In America, someone suffers a heart attack every 34 seconds. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women.
 
“Heart disease is a huge problem in the United States, says Intermountain Heart Institute cardiologist John Day, MD, conference director. “This conference helps physicians in the community use the latest technology and provide the best heart care for their patients.”
 
The Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute is one of the premier heart centers in the country, and is recognized for its pioneering work in surgery, treatment and research.