Comparative Effects Of Physical Exercise Vs Statins In Reducing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk In Patients Of Dyslipidemias Presenting In Primary Care Clinics.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of statin therapy and structured physical exercise on reducing ASCVD risk among patients with dyslipidemias.

Study design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient Department of Family Medicine, PEMH Rawalpindi, from July 2024 to January 2025.

Methodology: Total of 290 patients between 30–60 years with ASCVD risk between 5–7.5% were included using non-probability consecutive sampling. Further divided into two groups: Group I (statin therapy; atorvastatin 10 mg daily) and Group II (structured aerobic exercise ≥150 minutes/week), both for at least two months. Fasting lipid profile and ASCVD risk were assessed before and after intervention. Analysis of data was done on SPSS version 26, considering p≤0.05 statistically significant.

Results: Among 290 patients, 148 (51.03%) were in the statin group and 142 (48.9%) in the exercise group. In the statin group, significant reductions were observed in total cholesterol (5.49 to 4.71 mmol/L) and LDL-C (3.57 to 2.74 mmol/L), with a modest increase in HDL-C (1.06 to 1.14 mmol/L) (p<0.05). In the exercise group, HDL-C improved significantly (1.09 to 1.27 mmol/L), with modest reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-C (p<0.05). ASCVD risk decreased in both groups but was greater in the statin group (6.4% to 5.2%) compared to the exercise group (6.3% to 5.8%).

Conclusion: Statin therapy more effectively reduce LDL-C and ASCVD risk, while physical exercise had significant impact on HDL-C. Both strategies are useful and their combined usage may provide optimum reduction of cardiovascular risk.