Video: AstraZeneca Encourages All Americans to Get Their Cholesterol Checked During National Cholesterol Education Month in Sept

Talking with a physician is a key step in setting, achieving, and maintaining a targeted cholesterol goal


WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 1  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Recognizing that September is National Cholesterol Education Month (NCEM), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) is urging all adults, especially the 98.6 million Americans over the age of 20 years old with high cholesterol (1), to talk to their doctors about elevated cholesterol and get their cholesterol levels checked. Elevated cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, which can begin in early adulthood. (2) For patients with elevated cholesterol, it is important to work closely with a doctor to set, achieve, and maintain a desired cholesterol goal.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:  http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/crestor/39787/

For patients who have already been diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, National Cholesterol Education Month should serve as a reminder to see their doctors, have their cholesterol levels reexamined and determine if their current cholesterol management plan is still working. To get the most out of a visit to a doctor, the American Heart Association recommends asking questions such as: (3)

  --  How have my cholesterol numbers changed since they were last checked?
      Have I lowered my LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raised my HDL ("good")
      cholesterol?
  --  Am I at or close to achieving my desired cholesterol levels? If not,
      what other steps should I take?

  --  Should I consider additional changes to my diet and lifestyle? Is a
      cholesterol-lowering statin something I should consider and talk about
      with my doctor?



NCEM is also important for people who have not been tested recently or have never been tested for elevated cholesterol before. Having a doctor check cholesterol levels can help patients identify whether their levels of cholesterol are elevated or low. It is important that these patients work with their doctors to establish a cholesterol-lowering plan which may include diet, exercise, and if necessary, medication.

For those who learn they have elevated cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends asking questions such as: (4)

  --  What do my cholesterol numbers mean?
  --  What is my target cholesterol level?
  --  How often should I have my cholesterol levels checked?
  --  How does exercise affect my cholesterol levels?
  --  What type of foods should I eat?
  --  Will I need a cholesterol-lowering medicine?

  --  How long will it take to reach my cholesterol goals?



"Many of the patients I see, including those who have already had their cholesterol checked, often do not understand the urgency of achieving and maintaining cholesterol levels that are right for them," said Waenard L. Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., Attending Cardiologist with the Legacy Heart Center in Plano, Texas. "Talking with your doctor and understanding the steps you need to take to keep cholesterol levels in check are crucial, and National Cholesterol Education Month is an opportunity to take action."

Setting, achieving, and maintaining a target cholesterol goal may involve prescription medications to lower cholesterol. CRESTOR  (rosuvastatin calcium), may be an appropriate option for some patients. In adults, CRESTOR is used along with diet to lower LDL-C, raise HDL-C, and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to slow the progression of atherosclerosis at any stage of the disease as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol to goal. CRESTOR has not been approved to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. CRESTOR is covered by most health insurance plans and may be available for no more than $25 per month for eligible patients with commercial prescription drug coverage.+

  +Other restrictions may apply.

  About CRESTOR  (rosuvastatin calcium):


In adults, CRESTOR is prescribed along with diet for lowering high cholesterol. CRESTOR is also prescribed along with diet to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in arteries) as part of a treatment plan to lower cholesterol to goal. CRESTOR has not been approved to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes.

For more information about CRESTOR, including full Prescribing Information, visit http://www.crestor.com/

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

CRESTOR is not right for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to CRESTOR, anyone with liver problems, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

Your doctor will do blood tests before and during treatment with CRESTOR to monitor your liver function.

Unexplained muscle pain and weakness could be a sign of a rare but serious side effect and should be reported to your doctor right away.

The 40-mg dose of CRESTOR is only for patients who do not reach goal on 20 mg.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medications.

Side effects: The most common side effects are headache, muscle aches, abdominal pain, weakness, and nausea.

For more information about CRESTOR, including full Prescribing Information, visit http://www.crestor.com/.

About AstraZeneca:

AstraZeneca is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription medicines and in the supply of healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with global healthcare sales of $31.6 billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infectious disease medicines. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $13.5 billion dollar healthcare business. For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our AZ&Me(TM) Prescription Savings programs, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/.

  References:
  1. American Heart Association. "Statistical Fact Sheet - Risk Factors."
     2009 Update. Available at
     http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1236205246237CHOL.pdf.
     Accessed August 13, 2009.
  2. Berenson, et al.,1998. Association Between Multiple Cardiovascular Risk
     Factors and Atherosclerosis in Children and Young Adults. The New
     England Journal of Medicine. 1652, Figure 1.
  3. "Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your Treatment Plan." American
     Heart Association. About Blood Cholesterol. Available at
     http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3006033.
     Accessed August 10, 2009.

  4. Prescribing Information for CRESTOR. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP,
     Wilmington, DE.


http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/crestor/39787DATASOURCE: AstraZeneca



CONTACT:  Corey Windett, [phone], ;

or Donna Huang, [phone], , both of

AstraZeneca



Web Site:  http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/ 

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