O'BRIEN: Two-thirds of Americans with type II diabetes will die of heart disease or stroke. And now the experts say a common type of drug could help diabetics live longer. CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer with details.</s>HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can help save the life of someone with coronary artery disease. Now the American College of Physicians says the more than 18 million adults with type II diabetes shows take the same live-saving drugs. After numerous studies, the ACP developed new guidelines. And doctors are recommending all adults with type II diabetes and coronary heart disease take statin or the non-statin drug, gemfibrozil. The drugs are very effective in lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease from even developing. They also recommend those with type II diabetes and risk factors such as high pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, or those 55 and older, take statins as well. Doctors once thought pre-menopausal women with type II diabetes were inherently protected against heart disease, but these new aggressive guidelines say even these women should take statins. According to the ACP, they are extremely safe, except for people with liver problems or for someone taking drugs that can interact with statins. The American College of Physicians suggest doctors should get diabetes patients on a statin regiment as soon as possible and not wait until that patient has high cholesterol. Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.
Drugs Curb Heart Disease in Type II Diabetics