Fao Sqad

[elliemay1]

Sqad I'm on 3 BP tablets to control high BP. My cholesterol is 5.1 and I have been advised to now start taking statins. I'll be 70 this month. In your opinion do you think this is necessary?

[Sqad]

What a very good question ellie, to which there is no right answer.

Personally.......if in your position with controlled hypertension and a normal blood cholesterol , I would take statins with no problem, then fine......take statins.

I would quite understand if you decided not to take them because of side effects or doubt about their advantages.

Your call ellie.

[Peter Pedant]

necessary ? well it is your call ( which doesnt often happen with 'must's.

they do work - but there are side effects and so.... try for a month ( and if you dont grow another head, or tongue turnsblack) and see

[elliemay1]

Thank you Sqad, I'm still undecided so not sure as yet what I'll do!

[elliemay1]

Thank you also PP

[LadyCG]

Ellie, I assume it is your total cholesterol that is 5.1mmol/L ?

That's not massively elevated, but a low-dose statin such as Atorvastatin 10mg daily isn't going to do you any harm.

[Barsel]

Elliemay, I'm in the same position as you.
Have just had my BP tablets doubled and now Gp has prescribed statins which I'm reluctant to take.
I wish we could be offered advice instead of tablets.

[elliemay1]

Yes, it is the total, LadyCG, not sure of the breakdown.

[Barsel]

LadyCG , that's the one I've been prescribed but 20mg.
Would you recommend I start on a lower dose?

[Khandro]

elliemay, I've been taking 20mg of Simvahexal nightly for two years since I had a mini-stroke without it having any side-effects, alongside a small daily dose (20mg) of Telmisartan for BP, which I've been taking for years

I asked my doctor last week if I should continue with the statins and he said 'definitely'.

I don't know if that's of any interest at all

[Gill1941]

It is obviously up to you but I have had a similar experience with a reading of 5.3.
I refused statins and they retested 3 months later. I have heard nothing since.
My DIL is a nurse at local hospital and she said it is OK.
I am 82.

[LadyCG]

Not really, Barsel. If they've prescribed 20mg then that's the dose they think is right for you, based on your latest lipid profile. There is the option to lower the dose or increase it depending on tolerability, efficacy and response.

If your response is suboptimal you can try other statins or add-in Ezetimibe and there are other agents such as fibrates and Bempedoic Acid and injectables such as Inclisiran and PCSK9 inhibitors (Alirocumab and Evolocumab) if you are unable to tolerate statins altogether.

Your GP / Consultant will make the best decision based on all the above.

[Barsel]

Thanks LadyCg.I wish Gp's would advise on how to lower your cholesterol instead of giving you a pill.

[LadyCG]

It's never going to hurt to implement dietary and lifestyle modifications but if there is a family history of polygenic hypercholesterolaemia it is inevitable that at some stage in your life you're going to at least need to take at least a statin.

[barry1010]

I've been on 20mg of Simvastin for years with absolutely no side effects.
No cholesterol is now very good but the GP advises me to keep taking the tablets and as there is no downside for me, I do.
I know some people have side effects but if this happens there are different drugs you can try.

As Sqad says, though, it is entirely your choice.

[elliemay1]

Thank you all for your interest

[Barsel]

Thanks again LCG, I'm still thinking about it.
Will read up about it today and see if I can make a decision.

[Barsel]

Thanks elliemay for letting me join your thread.

[elliemay1]

That's ok Barsel, hope it helped x

[Geoffrey13]

You've all got me worried now, I've been on 40mg Atorvastatin for over a year now (and 75mg Clopidogrel), what are the side effects I need to concern myself about. I'm shortly due my annual MOT so will find out my cholesterol level hopefully. I'm 81.

[Geoffrey13]

P.S. Thanks for the alert and opportunity Elliemay1.