# Comparative effectiveness of statins and exercise in high-risk individuals: systematic review and network meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study compares statins and exercise in reducing arterial stiffness in high-risk cardiovascular patients, finding statins most effective for long-term results.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a network meta-analysis comparing multiple interventions for arterial stiffness in high-risk CVD populations.

## Key findings

- High-dose statins (hSTA) showed optimal reduction in arterial stiffness (PWV).
- Whole-body vibration (WBV) was most effective for lowering blood pressure (SBP and DBP).
- Interval training (INT) improved both arterial stiffness and blood pressure short-term.

## Abstract

Arterial stiffness (AS) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and relates to multiple factors. But the best interventions for AS in high—risk CVD groups are unknown. This review focuses on how different interventions affect AS and related indicators.

We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and Web of Science for relevant studies. Inclusion criteria: (1) randomized controlled trials (RCT); (2) participants with CVD risk factors as per American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines; (3) interventions including Whole-Body Vibration (WBV), statins (STA), interval training (INT), aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RT), and combined exercise (CT); (4) control groups with usual care or placebo; (5) outcomes of pulse wave velocity (PWV), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); (6) studies in English. Data were analyzed using a random effects network meta-analysis and assessed for bias using the Cochrane tool.

This meta-analysis of 58 studies (n = 2,931) found all long-term interventions (STA, WBV, CT, RT, AE, INT) significantly reduced PWV (p < 0.001). WBV, INT, and AE notably lowered both SBP and DBP (p < 0.001). hSTA showed optimal PWV reduction (SUCRA=92.0), while WBV showed highest efficacy for SBP (SUCRA=94.0) and DBP (SUCRA=77.3).

For CVD high-risk populations, high doses of statins (hSTA) optimally reduces AS; WBV is the top non-drug AS intervention, while INT best improves both AS and BP short-term. Combined, these interventions significantly enhance outcomes.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=564538, PROSPERO CRD42024564538.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis on the effectiveness of statins and exercise on arterial stiffness in high-risk cardiovascular individuals. The diagram illustrates interventions such as statins, whole-body vibration, interval training, aerobic exercise, resistance, and combined exercises. A chart compares intervention effects on pulse wave velocity, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, with subgroup analyses for intensity and duration. The conclusion states that statins are most effective for reducing arterial stiffness, while whole-body vibration is the best non-pharmacological option, and interval training is effective short-term.