Indication: Second heart attack


Source: Am J Cardiol, June 15, 2008;101(12):1689-93.

Research: This multicenter study was conducted to determine the effects of Xuezhikang (XZK), a partially purified extract of red yeast rice, on lipoprotein and cardiovascular (CV) endpoints in Chinese patients who experienced a previous myocardial infarction. Nearly 5000 of these patients with average low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels at baseline were randomly assigned either to placebo or to XZK daily for an average of 4.5 years. The primary endpoint was a major coronary event that included nonfatal myocardial infarction and death from coronary heart disease.

Results: Those taking the partially purified red yeast rice experienced a 45% reduction in risk for second heart attack. Further, treatment with XZK significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and raised high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. In the end, re­searchers concluded that long-term therapy with XZK significantly de­creased the recurrence of coronary events and the occurrence of new CV events and deaths, improved lipoprotein regulation, and was safe and well tolerated.