Statins - should otherwise healthy people take them?

[Mosaic]

OH is agitated as the practice nurse at the GPs wants him to go onto statins. He is overweight but losing weight, bp consequently on the high side but dropping as the weight goes, very fit and active, no heart disease or family history thereof.

He questioned the advice and was told that 'research is' that all people over 50 should take statins whether they have problems or not.

What's the view from the AB community on this issue?

[bednobs]

has he had his cholesterol checked?

[mike11111]

The view from the AB community on this issue is that despite the good intentions of the practice nurse an opinion should be sought from a qualified physician.

[Sqad]

This is my opinion from a post earlier this afternoon.

Sqad
It changes almost daily now ;-)

If one has had a heart attack or a stroke or a family history of heart attack or stroke, then one should take statins. If one had a high cholesterol or high LDL (low density lipoprotien , then one should take statins.

The "rub" comes as to if the large group of over 50's, with no past history of cardiovascular disease should take statins as "preventative measure."

Two eminent professors of cardiology agree that ALL over 50's should take statins and that many American Cardiologists have already come to that conclusion

It would seem that the evidence produced by recent studies is compelling for the male over 50's but much less so for the female over 50's.
Studies are ongoing, so watch this space.

I have changed my mind about side effects of statins and i now feel that they have been exaggerated.

[Mosaic]

Bednobs - Cholesterol is lower than the GPs...!
Mike - a noticeable use of the 'Royal We'...but thanks for your view, which is one shared chez nous.

[Mosaic]

Thanks Sqad - very interesting.

[mike11111]

Er... where have I used the Royal We?

[Mosaic]

...Mike, just came across a little sweeping....

[rojash]

"I have changed my mind about side effects of statins and i now feel that they have been exaggerated."

I tend to think that they are under-reported. I know (directly or indirectly) many people who've suffered pretty severe side-effects of varying kinds. The common factor in most of these cases is that the GP has been unwilling to record them.

Just as one example, my MIL was prescribed statins, and suffered limb pain and night terrors. She told her doctor, who prescribed a different one, with essentially the same side-effects. The GP refused to listen to her complaints, so she simply stopped taking them, researched other methods of improving her cholesterol, and managed to improve it by diet and exercise. The doctor still prescribes the statins, which are delivered automatically to her.

The winners are:
My MIL, who has lowered her own cholesterol
The drug companies, who (thanks to the stubbornness of her GP) are selling the drugs.

The losers are:
The NHS, who are paying for drugs that are not needed or used
The Truth: She's given up trying to convince the GP that she doesn't need or want them. He's convinced that she is taking them, and that her improved cholesterol is a as a result of this.

[Sqad]

rojash....that is a popular concept..........but what is the truth?

[Mosaic]

Thanks Rojash - FIL gets the night terrors as well.
We are really drawn to the diet and exercise approach, and well done to your MIL.

[mrs_overall]

I can speak from first hand experience that the side effects for me were horrendous. I tried different types to no avail.

[mike11111]

Hiya Mrs O, My name's Statin, Mike Statin; care to try me out?

[mrs_overall]

Hiya Mike, my name is Mrs O. Would you like to try my cattle prod?

[Mosaic]

What's this? We'll have no smut on this thread...this is a local thread for local people...

[mrs_overall]

Sorry Mosaic, blame Mike, he started it

[askyourgran]

The side-effects I had from taking statins were very painful. The GP's move the goal posts for the statin level. At one time it was too high at 5.5 I had to get my cholesterol level to 3.5 that was a struggle. I take Ezetrol now with no discernable side effects. For the last two years my cholesterol is in the region of 6.0 and I'm told that's OK.

[mike11111]

Tried it once; didn't even raise a smile! Got anything more interesting? (Don't mention the Whitby sand because it's a bugger to get out of those delicate little places.)

[woofgang]

I agree about the under reporting. Both my sis and my late Dh had statin side effects. Sis' went when the GP changed her brand but Dh's didn't. Neither doctor reported the effects so far as we know.

[bioterrific]

I personally would only take statins if I were unable to maintain healthy cholesterol levels through diet and exercise. For the many people in that category, two words: biocritical priora.

[Mosaic]

Well Bioterrific - what an amazing coincidence that youshouldfind AB, create yourself and identity and post your viral advert all in one go.
Everyone, everyone - run out and buy this snake oil quickly as it will cure your ills.
Or maybe not. Maybe you'd be better off doing the gardening.