Statins

silverlining48

My understanding from what I read on the statins info was that people with no co morbidities should not be offered statins, if 75 or over.
Those already on statins who reach 75 carry on with the,.
I have tried to find the page where I read this, but there is so much, but also spoke to a retired GP friend who confirmed that was the case.
Of course it’s up to the individual to decide first themselves what they do. I was just reporting what I had read.

I've also Googled it and that's what I found too. It used to be the case that doctors were warned to be cautious when prescribing statins to over 70s, but now numerous longitudinal studies have shown that older people can benefit, especially if they have had any cardiovascular problems or have high cholesterol.

I had no side effects for five weeks then had truly horrendous cramps in my legs, particularly left calf. Been off statins for three weeks and cramps are gradually reducing.

The first couple of weeks the cramps left me in pain for days.

Never again.

hollysteers

On statins for quite a while but have terrible cramp. Not sure if it’s related…
With a family history of strokes and heart attacks, I’m happy to take them, but maybe need another brand.

When I reported to GP that I was having bad cramps I was called in for immediate blood tests. Have you told your doctor about the cramps?

jeanie99

Statins effected my memory so GP took me off of them, it is one of the known side effects.

Thank you DH has had a new type and he has strange holes in his memory recently.

My cholesterol has always been on the borderline and I have a family background of heart disease. My doc would say keep going, lose weight, eat better, no need for drugs. The suddenly, I am having my 70+ review and the nurse practitioner has slapped me onto statins.
My MIL changed her brand three times before she was side effect free, but died of congestive heart disease aged just 82

I couldn’t get on with statins so now been prescribed a different drug, Ezetimbe to reduce cholesterol.

Jaxjacky

Are you a medical professional Autumnrose? If not, where is your information from please?

I wondered that. Also, she hasn’t bothered to come back and answer people’s questions. Very rude and a waste of space in my opinion.

For those reading Autumnrose's misleading & ill-advised propaganda about Statins (though very likely well-meant?!), THINK AGAIN. I've taken a Statin (there are several) for well over 20 years, re HIGH CHOLESTEROL (there are a number of benefits). I also have marginally high BP.

Statins are taken by a huge chunk of the UK population, and not just by outright oldies, overall, they are a powerful force for good. I do recall having a nausea reaction when I first had them, got moved to the lowest dose, no probs since.

Oh, and I'm presently mid-70s. For Autumnrose -- don't believe all you read on F'book?!

My DH' memory has been very much affected by taking statins - and his quick thinking skills also. He's very thrown by something happening suddenly or someone needing an immediate reply.

I have reported Autumnrose’s post for potentially dangerous misinformation.

FranP you don’t have to be ‘slapped on’ anything by a nurse practitioner or anyone else.
Like you I am borderline high cholesterol but my Total cholesterol / HDL ratio is good. I’m nearly 76.
My GP has never suggested statins but last time I had a meds review, which was supposed to be about my thyroxine dose, the pharmacist laid into me about my blood pressure meds, which GP had discussed with me only 3 weeks previously. I resisted her suggestion that I should increase my dose.
Then when I looked at the NHS app, I saw she had put in my notes ‘to discuss statins at next review’. 😡
This was all quite outside what she was supposed to be talking to me about & I’m afraid it made me really angry.

Well. I have had a reply from MN HQ saying they’re not going to delete Autumnrose’s post in the grounds that they aren’t medical experts 🙄 and it should be left to members to challenge it.
So I told ChatGPT that someone had said statins shouldn’t be prescribed to women over 70, and I doubted this was true.

This is ChatGPT’s answer:
You’re right to be skeptical — the idea that statins are categorically not recommended for women over 70 is not entirely accurate, but the issue is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

Here’s the current understanding as of 2025:

✅ Statins can be recommended for women over 70, depending on:
•Whether the statins are being used for primary prevention (preventing a first heart attack or stroke), or
•Secondary prevention (preventing recurrence after an event like a heart attack or stroke)

⸻

🧠 1. Secondary Prevention: Strongly Recommended

For women over 70 who already have cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as:
•Prior heart attack
•Stroke
•Angina
•Coronary artery disease

→ Statins are widely recommended, as they reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events. The benefits clearly outweigh risks in this group, regardless of age.

⸻

❓ 2. Primary Prevention: More Individualized

For women over 70 who:
•Have no history of cardiovascular events
•Are just being evaluated based on cholesterol or risk scores

→ The decision is more individualized.

Why the hesitation?
•Some studies have shown less clear benefit of statins in older adults (especially women) for primary prevention
•Older patients may be at higher risk of side effects, such as:
•Muscle pain
•Cognitive complaints (rare)
•Diabetes (in susceptible individuals)
•Drug interactions (due to polypharmacy)

BUT — Statins may still be appropriate if:
•The person has significant risk factors, such as:
•Diabetes
•High blood pressure
•High LDL cholesterol
•Family history
•Smoking history
•The individual has a longer life expectancy and is otherwise healthy

⸻

🔬 What Do Guidelines Say?
•U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): Found insufficient evidence to routinely recommend statins for primary prevention in people over 75.
•American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA): Suggest considering statins in older adults after a shared decision-making discussion.

⸻

👩‍⚕️ Bottom Line:
•Statins are definitely recommended for women over 70 with existing CVD.
•For primary prevention, the decision is individualized — not a blanket recommendation for or against.
•If you (or someone you’re asking for) are in this age group, the best approach is a discussion with a healthcare provider that considers:
•Cardiovascular risk
•Life expectancy
•Personal preferences
•Side effect concerns

⸻

ChatGPT has assumed I’m American, but I think nHS guidelines are similar.

So now you know.

I am 71 my cholesterol is within normal levels but I was prescribed statins due to a Qrisk I think it was called. When I reported the terrible muscle cramps I was having GP called me in for a blood test and told me not to take any more. She hasn't suggested trying a different one.

I was hoping to find some discussion about statins . I'm in a bit of a quandary you see. I've been getting very bad hip pain in my right hip , groin , thigh . Muscle cramps in my left leg . I know I have moderate arthritis in my right hip as I've had an xray but I've been on statins for a year, firstly on atorvastatin and then switched yo rosuvastatin . I also take ramipril , bisoprolol and Doxazosin for BP . Since the statins I've been getting the hip pain and it's so bad now . I take the statins in the morning and the pain gets progressively worse as the day goes on . Last week I forgot to take my medication , it happens occasionally and strangley enough that day I had a good day , no painkillers and slept like a log . I've decided to stop the statins as a bit of a trial just to see if they are causing it
I've been told I will need a hip replacement but I don't want that operation unnecessarily. It didn't occur to me the statins might be making it worse so I didn't mention it at my orthopaedic appt . I have been on the bp meds for years with no problems and my cholesterol was only just over the acceptable level when I was prescribed . I would welcome your thoughts those who have suffered joint pain caused by statins . Could this be possible ?

theworriedwell
I was prescribed statins due to a Qrisk I think it was called.
I did the Qrisk thing. It worked out my risk as 18%.
My weight is 61kg. I then tried putting in 71kg instead of 61kg and my risk went down to 15%. 🤷‍♀️
Apparently if you aren’t overweight, the algorithm assumes either that you’ve got a serious condition that results in weight loss, or you’re very frail.
So if anyone suggests that I go on statins, I shall just tell them I’ll reduce my risk by gaining 10kg in weight 💪🏽

I am 76 and our practice pharmacist prescribed me Atorvastatin - as a precaution. Cholesterol only slightly raised. I felt sluggish and very tired, my legs felt clumsy and heavy !!! I went go see him and was given Rosuvastatin , that was worse! I developed a nasty nerve pain on the side of one foot, so painful I could scarcely put my foot to the floor!!! At the same time I was waking during the night with the most alarming sensation in my other foot! It was in paralysis and cramp at the sane time. I simply could not move my ankle or foot and the pain extended up my shin . I hobbled out of bed and sat in a chair rubbing my foot till the feeling returned. This happened twice while taking Rosuvaststin I immediately stopped taking them but it happened again once after that. Within 10 days of stopping medication my nerve pain improved and the night paralysis stopped. I went back to the pharmacist and like Grabdmagrotbags now take Ezetimibe - not a statin and apparently not quite as effective as a statin. On the plus side unlike statins it is not a threat to my liver. Been on them a week now so fingers 🤞 all will be well.
There is an alternative to statins!

Statins made my mum really poorly, she went from fit and sprightly to someone who could hardly walk. And she had horrendous nightmares

Crossstitchfan

Jaxjacky

Are you a medical professional Autumnrose? If not, where is your information from please?

I wondered that. Also, she hasn’t bothered to come back and answer people’s questions. Very rude and a waste of space in my opinion.

Very dangerous and should be allowed on GN. Statins save lives, many.

I am 87 and have just had my statin dosage increased plus been advised to take it at night as my other heart meds are taken in the morning.

As the link posted above by RinseAndRepeat explains, the previous advice of not taking statins if you are over 70 has now been updated because of more recent findings.

Come to think of it I have also had a return of slight calf cramps in bed at night, so if I get any more I shall go back to calf muscle stretching exercises, which worked like magic before.

Statins are an awful medication. Google British Supplements and look at the reviews for Plant sterols.

Now look up ‘ the dangers of statins’ ask why they have reduced the levels of cholesterol deemed to be bad. Look up British Supplements and read the reviews on plant sterols.

are you medically qualified and a specialist Menopauselbitch?

Autumnrose

Raised cholesterol and high blood pressure are both symptoms of an underactive thyroid and statins are not recommended in these circumstances. It may be worth checking that your thyroid replacement hormones are optimal but this is difficult to do via a GP. I had to resort to private testing but once my hormone replacement was optimised my cholesterol and blood pressure both came down. You should also be aware that statins are not recommended for women over the age of 70.

Interesting. I have an under-active thyroid, and on thyroxine, and have been for many years. I am also overweight. My BP is the same as a teenager's, my cholesterol is very low and good cholesterol excellent. So it certainly does not apply in my case.

I am not on Statins, btw- because I do not have history of heart disease, strokes, etc, and because BP and cholesterol perfect.

DH who is medically qualified, chose to take statins a long time ago due to his own health issues, and mainly due to terrible family history of heart disease. I trust his judgement- and never has had any side-effects. He truly despairs about non-qualified people à la Wakefield - which is costing many lives.

Claremont

are you medically qualified and a specialist Menopauselbitch?

Friend of Autumnrose maybe?

Did anyone else get calls from pharmacy asking about side effects? I got a call 7 days after I started on them and again 14 days later. I've never had that with any other medication.