Statins - pros and cons

As for making a profit from statins, I think most of the statins prescribed in the UK are now generics and they're probably the most researched group of medicines and their safety level is high. The days are long gone when pharma companies made loads of money out of statins.

FWIW I was a statin cynic before my heart attack. My levels were never very high, but they were elevated and I was advised to take them, but refused. After the heart attack, I accepted them. I had a break (on doctor's advice) to see if they were contributing to my neuropathy, but there was no difference, so I started taking them again and haven't stopped.

I was told I had a 20% risk of having a heart attack or stroke within 10 years. Like others, my reasoning was that I had an 80% chance of not having a heart attack or stroke. I changed my mind when it turned out I was one of the 20%, as somebody has to be!

The recommendations have changed since then BlueBelle - hence the recommendation that people over 70 should only be prescribed if there are clear reasons why the benefits outweigh the risks.

I think the problem for GPs is that they don't have enough time to talk to patients properly and some patients react badly if they're told it would be in their best interests to lose weight, get more exercise, change their diet, give up smoking, cut down alcohol (or whatever). GPs (and others) are accused of being "big brother" if they tell people what would be in their best interest.

I agree with your post nfkdumpling for some they are a wonderful invention and will save lives but I do think they are over prescribed
I remember when my children were at school nearly every child suddenly went on inhalers all coughs were immediately dubbed asthma if I was cynical I d say the pharmaceuticals are making a lot of money and maybe doctors do too to push them but of course I m not cynical
Some people do have a natural higher cholesterol level my mum ate a wonderful diet no salt nor sugar all fresh veg dad grew in the garden, virtually no fat her cholesterol levels were always around 7 she lived to 90 and was the only one in the home on no regular medication, she died from Alzheimer’s
My dad in his 80 s was put on statins he got awful leg aches so came off them he lived to 92 and died from stomach cancer three weeks after diagnosis
I will not go on statins unless I feel there is a need
At one time a few years back they suggested all women over 50 went on them I don’t think that came to anything

I had one of those health checks the NHS said I should have and my cholesterol came out at 5.7. My GP put me on a statin. I can't remember which one, but after a week it made me feel quite ill, and like Kate1949 I got nose bleeds. I stopped taking it and looked into diet alternatives. When I told my doctor he wasn't in favour but agreed I should try for three months and see what happened - but then wouldn't re-test me! So, off to the chemist, and paid £15 for an instant test and the cholesterol level was down to 3.4. Dead chuffed! Went back to the doctor and another test confirmed it. I don't think he believes it still!

But it does mean that I have to avoid animal fat - cheese and butter consumption have been drastically cut as have meat portions - and I make my own muesli including ground flax seed and take lethicin tablets. I don't bother with Proactive spreads - just don't use any spread. This was three years ago and my levels are still down - although I have been a bit lax of late after I fell for buttered cheese scones!

BUT, DH has serious heart problems. For him statins are a necessity. It depends so much on why you've been prescribed them. There may be other factors to be taken into account. Diet certainly worked for me with just a heightened cholesterol level, but it really depends on the cause and other health problems. For me it was a warning shot that my arteries were starting to clog up and one day I may well need to take them, but at the present diet is keeping things in check.

PaperMonster

Why not have another test and fast? On the Diabetes site I’m on they always advise to fast for a cholesterol test otherwise it’s not an accurate result.

I don't think that's true. A fasting test should produce a lower result, but a normal plasma test will allow for being non-fasting and is arguably a better reflection of your circulating cholesterol.

Most long-term diabetics have high triglycerides and low HDL because the surplus glucose in their blood vessels narrows arteries and makes cholesterol more likely to "stick". Poor cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure readings often go together, which is why heart and circulatory problems put diabetics at much higher risk than the general population.

I am no medic and medics themselves are divided about statins.

Taking any medication is always going to be about the balance of risks. I think people should accept when their readings are high and either accept the risk or do something about it. I expect most people would rather avoid medications if they can, but there are times when lifestyle interventions aren't enough and/or people find them too hard.

Statins have had a bad press, so read up about the disadvantages, but also read some of the peer-reviewed research and/or a couple of the reliable websites:

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
www.heartuk.org.uk/

Decide for yourself what your risk factors are. For some people the risks of statins outweigh the benefits, but don't let other people's experiences put you off. We're all individuals. Try them and, if the side effects are too much, stop them or ask for an alternative.

I doubt if any NHS doctor is making a profit from prescribing statins. My opinion is that the real "snake oil salesmen" are the ones who sell alternative medicines/supplements and badly researched and reviewed books about alternative lifestyles.

I am not on statins - but I do work in a Drs surgery and some patients are on statins

In response to a question about how much Drs get paid to prescribe them - absolutely nothing. (in Australia - highly unlikely to be different in UK)

Pros - reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke - if your cholesterol was at a high level.

Cons - inconvenience of taking medication, small cost - and possible side effects.

But most people do not get side effects - and if you do, you change or stop the medication if the benifits do not outweigh the risks.

I have been on statins for the past 19years,my cholesterol was dangerously high.I see the Consultant at my local hospital,he will not discharge me to the care of my GP.

All my family have had cholesterol checks,as it is probably genetic in my case.

I have been on several different statins over the years and never had any side effects.

My Consultant who is a Professor also told me not to bother buying Benecol or any other of the spreads claiming to lower cholesterol.

I would rather take medication than worry about a heart attack or stroke.

I

I was happy to be prescribed them but the nosebleeds were too much to take. I had never had a nosebleed in my life until then. I woke up in the night whilst on them thinking I had a runny nose. I put the light on and there was blood everywhere. I had to throw bedding away. I had another three or four severe ones after that. One that wouldn't stop. My husband rang 111. I couldn't figure it out, saw my GP who said 'nosebleeds happen'. It wasn't until I read the leaflet that the penny dropped.

I've been on statins for about 15 years now with no ill effects. It seems to be a long time since I've had any routine checks but I had daily blood tests while I was in hospital at Easter so hopefully they would have picked up any new problems.

No, the fasting cholesterol test is no longer deemed necessary as Blossoming states.

I don’t think they do the fasting lipids test now Maw.

Tried two different statins and both seemed to trigger optical migraines.

Just a thought for those who like me aren’t particularly keen on taking statins. My doctor has been suggesting for a few years that I go on statins, I put it off. My cholesterol is around 6.0 and I am 63, I have been on a blood pressure pills for a while.
I often have reactions to new drugs so I am wary of going on something new.
About 6 months ago he suggested I had a heart scan for coronary calcium, I paid for it, it was expensive. My blood calcium levels were zero which means the risks are low.
No need for statins.

Why not have another test and fast? On the Diabetes site I’m on they always advise to fast for a cholesterol test otherwise it’s not an accurate result.

And don't take them if your liver isn't working well or you drink a lot of alcohol.

Diabetics are advised to continue taking them.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/statins-for-over-75s

Mine hasn’t been below 9 for 12 years. The highest was 9.6.

I don’t believe they are recommended over 70 and without previous heart attack/stroke. Would take them on cardiologist’s advice not just GP’s.

Right - you’ve got me thinking now.
I do hope I can get a follow-up appointment (and not with the same dr!) as I’d really like to make an informed decision and you’ve been most helpful
Thanks! ?

Your levels are worse than mine, but not terrible. I'm extra careful because I'm diabetic and have had a heart attack (bad genes I think).

Why the heck don’t they give you an explanation or some indication of what these figures all mean beside each result, or be prepared to take one through the results.
Rhetorical question!

MawtheMerrier

I also wonder if there is any relevance in the fact that this was not a fasting blood test - it was at midday and I was given no instructions to fast - so I didn’t!

I don't think it makes any difference. I have blood tests every six months and I've never been told to fast. I don't think cholesterol levels vary much throughout the day.

growstuff

Your serum ratio should ideally be between 3.5 and 1, so either you should try to reduce your LDL or raise your HDL or both. Your serum triglycerides matter too - ideally below 1.8 mmo/L.

Thanks Growstuff
My Serum triglycerides are 1.6mmol/L

Statins will probably bring your LDL down, but I've always found it difficult to raise HDL.