What do you think of Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) for lowering cholesterol?

BigGuy47

Glad to hear that he's home and doing well.

nikkib0103

Yes, glad he is home and appears to be doing well.

cryptobrit

Hoping Batman is still doing well and by now fighting fit.

A few years ago I was called into the Dr's after having a routine blood test to say my cholesterol levels were 7.0 I think it was. I was quite horrified at this as all the contributing factors such as genetics, smoking and so on were not there in the family. My Dr was great saying that he always does at least 3 tests to allow for all the variables. I said although I ate fairly healthily, I would try even harder and have another test done in 3 months. 3 months later it had gone up to over 8.0 and the Dr had a hard time calming me down. He said it was obviously not my diet that was the problem and could be many other factors such as stress etc. He also told me but I can't remember the reasons, that it is common for athletes such as marathon runners to have high cholesterol. Maybe someone can remind me why this is. By then I was trying all manner of herbal and natural remedies and we agreed we would leave it a few months before having another. That is now probably several years. I am reluctant to have another one as although I know he won't force me to have something I don't want (he is very good that way), it is a concern. I have toyed with the idea of asking to see one of those proper genetic counsellors to see what they say and if they think it is a concern after going over my history etc. But is there any point if I am going to 'take my chances' in any case? I have enough other health conditions to contend with without the worry of side effects from statins. On a different note. My late mother for decades had a very high heart rate. Resting it would easily be 150+ bpm and she was only 5.5 stone wet through (she had ribs and a lung missing due to a thoracaplasty in her 30's, hence the low weight). As well as her other health issues she lived into her 70's when the medics thought she would be lucky if she saw 35. Don't get me wrong, should I have a heart attack and survive and they recommended statins I would then probably take them. I know in the case where there has actually been heart problems then it is recommended. However, I have read articles that if you haven't, then 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'!.

Thoughts?

RodaRose

I do not fundamentally distrust big pharma because I have relied on two medications for years, but with regard to the statins the drug companies and the medical professionals are wrong. My father has nerve damage from the years he was on lipitor. The alternative meds (red rice yeast and so on) that mimic the statins have the same side effects because they essentially are statins.
The scientific connection between heart disease and cholesterol is weak.

cryptobrit

I read that the hype about red rice yeast was untrue as well. I did have the name of what was supposed to be a totally natural statin and now can't find it. It was the only one I was convinced might be okay. No doubt though if available in whatever form, it would be expensive. Wish I could remember what it was now. Many other supplements also have been promoted as bringing it down, but it is hard to know which companies pharma or alternative are just seeing pound signs. Can you tell I am a bit cynical over this :-O

heart2health

I've got high cholesterol but its genetic as all my other blood lipid panel is fine and I've been tested extensively. FYI, I've survived two major heart attacks about 18mths ago so I'm one of those that while I was in the hospital for almost a month was put on statins. The pain they caused was not worth it and my cardiologist has since taken me off them. My husband is still on Lipitor and now has been found to have type 2 diabetes which is one of the possible outcomes of statins. It has to be your decision as to whether you take or not and some people have no side effects and others suffer terribly.

cryptobrit

Thank you for that heart2health. That couldn't have been a pleasant experience at all, and I am sorry you had to go through that. It is indeed a hard decision. Like I said, I have done nothing the last few years as I don't need any more side effects in addition to my existing health problems. Hoping the adapted exercise I have been doing will have helped.

curvygirl512

I love my doctor, b/c she does not want to put any of her patients on any medications unless absolutely necessary. My biggest issues are low good cholesterol and way high triglycerides. This is the only thing that helps: Coromega (a superconcentrated fish oil sold at GNC). Other OTC fish oil capsules didn't do squat. This stuff looks like a ketchup packet filled with orange yogurt. It brings both of my issues under control to where we've stopped potentially talking about taking statins. Coromega is OTC, but I'd recommend bringing it up with your doctor. Also, doctor says it protects eyesight and joints, an added benefit for me.

Farback

I've been on Statins for two years now since my heart attack, and have had no side effects. As a male in my late 50's, I'm the subset for who they are most effective. I'd much prefer to take no drugs, but I've accepted I'll be on these and a daily aspirin till the big one comes, or a hobby kills me. I was fit, strong and healthy when I had my heart attack in 2012, so all I could change was decrease stress ( dropped one job, no longer fire chief) and exercise daily and seriously. And take my drugs like a good boy.