Statins increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 73%

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published in Stroke 2008;39:497 and a recipe for balsamic glazed pork steak with stir fried broccoli.

Study title and authors:
Statin Treatment and the Occurrence of Hemorrhagic Stroke in Patients With a History of Cerebrovascular Disease

Mervyn D.I. Vergouwen, MD; Rob J. de Haan, PhD; Marinus Vermeulen, MD, PhD; Yvo B.W.E.M. Roos, MD, PhD

Books:

From the Departments of Neurology (M.D.I.V., M.V., Y.B.W.E.M.R.) and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (R.J.d.H.), Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

This paper can be accessd at: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/39/2/497

The purpose of this review was therefore to investigate the effect of statin treatment on the occurrence of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease.

The study found that:
(a) Statins decreased the risk of  ischemic stroke by 20%
(b) Statins increased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 73%

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Recipe of the day

Balsamic Glazed Pork Steak with Stir Fried Broccoli

Ingredient list:


2 bone-in pork steaks

3 stalks of broccoli
Coconut oil
Balsamic vinegar
Garlic powder
Jamaican Allspice
Salt

Directions:
Pre-heat non-stick grill-pan or skillet over medium heat. Season both sides of pork steak with salt, garlic powder, and Jamaican Allspice. Lay pork steak in the hot grill-pan and let sear undisturbed for 6 minutes. Turn with tongs to let the second side sear for 6 minutes. Splash balsamic vinegar generously across the top of the meat. After the second side has seared, turn again and coat the other side with balsamic vinegar. Turn again and let the freshly coated side sear a few more seconds. Meanwhile, cut florets from broccoli stalks and divide into bite-sized pieces. Melt two tablespoons of coconut oil over medium heat in a wok. Add broccoli and stir until broccoli is coated with coconut oil. Add a little water if the wok becomes too dry before the broccoli is sufficiently tender. When done, transfer pork steaks to a plates. Fill the rest of the plate with broccoli. Enjoy!