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I had a health scare recently in which the symptoms resembled a heart attack and resulted in me being rushed in to hospital. Turned out that after Angiogram, blood tests and MRI scan it was actually pericarditis most likely brought on by a bought of our good friend Covid, the gift that just keeps giving. The infection went away (mostly) and I'm now fine.
Anyway the good news was that my arteries were very healthy, my heart was normal and not damaged and the blood tests revealed my cholesterol was better then average for a 55 year old and below the risk threshold and my blood pressure has gone back down to green now the infection has mostly gone.
So I was slightly surprised when visiting my doc for a final debrief today he firstly due to a communication error probably on my part thought I was still on statins from the initial emergency period to now (2 months) and that i probably should be 'as a precaution'
He'd prescribed them back in June but i'd never picked up the prescription and so haven't been on any meds since the initial massive panic when they put a whole pharmacy into me!
I guess my question is if my cholesterol is fairly low and I have no other risk factors other than my age, should I just bang them down every day for the rest of my life 'as a precaution'? My doctor, who I have a huge amount of respect for and has known me for years reckons everyone gets offered them at 60 anyway.
Those over 60 on here, do you take them?
I do. But then again i had high BP and Cholesterol so have both Statins and BP Meds.
Yeah, I got a bunch of drugs for AF. Didn't take the statins at first cos the consultant said my cholesterol wasn't high , but to take them anyway. Then I had a blood test a little while ago which said cholesterol was high... so take em now. Not sure what difference, if any it makes.
My cholesterol was at the upper end of medium, and I went on them this year (after resisting for a few years).
Felt really fatigued when exercising for the first week, but no noticeable effects since.
Awaiting results of 3-month blood test to see what they've done.
Definitely not.
Not sure what difference, if any it makes.
Well, the idea is that they lower your cholesterol level.
Thought your GP might have explained that 😉
I'm 57 male and have high BP, been on 3 meds for 10 years now to keep it normalish, taking beetroot supps which takes it down a bit more...
Annual review last year with blood test yielded Cholesterol 5.0mmol/L and LDL 2.6mmol/L, which as I understand it is ok yet the consultant still prescribed me Atorvastatin 20 mg a day ('in the context of hypertension'), which I have not taken--instead I am working harder at my diet and being more active. I guess at the next review we'll see who's right!
I do but I have high bp and take other meds as well.
Too much emphasis on high cholesterol in modern medicine. It’s hogwash quite frankly, based on misinformation started by religious fanatics, Kelloggs and Ancel Keys. Avoid statins. Eat less sugar/carbs.
I do too. Had a mini stroke last year. No real effects from it but they put me on blood thinners and statins which I take every day. It's no hardship to me and if it prevents me having a full blown stroke at some point in the future then great!
I do, all family have high cholesterol, sister had check on her arteries & had zero calcification but I've not had the same check.
I guess my question is if my cholesterol is fairly low and I have no other risk factors other than my age, should I just bang them down every day for the rest of my life 'as a precaution'?
Listen to an expert who has offered you advice or randoms on an internet forum?
Maybe you should listen to your docs and own medical situation? COVID can kill people and it looks like from what you have said it doesnt particularly suit you when you get it. There is evidence for statins helping the heart with COVID. So maybe take the medical advice or randoms on the web 🙂
Personally I have been on them since age of 49. Genetic high cholesterol, and heart failure in the family. No side effects whatsoever for me.
Over 60 and I haven't been offered them, I don't have any health issues and am not on any meds.
Listen to an expert who has offered you advice or randoms on an internet forum?
I had quite a long chat with the him - I asked straight up was I being an idiot by even querying is suggestion of taking them and he said not at all and thats when we had the discussion. I'm not a fanatical anti-vaxer or anything but I do have an aversion to necking down pills just because that's what everyone does at a certain age etc.
Anyway he suggested I do the lifestyle thing with less carbs and less sugar (my diet is ok but there is certainly room for improvement and I could really do with swapping some fat for muscle!) and reconvene in a year with a blood test to see where we were which I thought was a good idea.
The asking randoms on the net was really just to see if people in my cohort (slightly overweight craft ale drinking wheels on the ground lefty wets) take these things......I'll let my doc make the decisions!
(slightly overweight craft ale drinking wheels on the ground lefty wets)
Hi there! Yep, I started statinsing in the last few weeks. I've got 'low end of high' cholesterol even with decent diet and exercise levels, so doc suggested statins. The read of the side effects in the leaflet was a bit scary, but I've not noticed anything so far. Blood tests to be booked again in a couple of months.
Genetic high cholesterol, and heart failure in the family.
Yeah, I've got a bit of that too, which was another reason.
I'm on a low dose statin
If you have proven good artery health, and no issues with cholesterol, why would you be on them?
As with any mediation, there can be side effects. Increases your chance of diabetes fir one.
I'm in the same boat as @MrSparkle. Had a TIA last December (Boxing Day) and was prescribed a platelet suppressor and statins afterwards.
I haven't had any noticeable side effects and if they help prevent a stroke, of which there is a family history, then I will happily keep taking them.
Over 60 and I haven't been offered them, I don't have any health issues and am not on any meds.
Did you do one of those NHS Health Checks? That's often when they get offered.
I haven't had any noticeable side effects and if they help prevent a stroke, of which there is a family history, then I will happily keep taking them.
Yeah, my dad's death from a stroke last year was probably what made me take them up this time.
My 76 year old dad had high cholesterol and was told by the doctor he should start statins.
He wasn't a fan of the idea of starting a medication and staying on it for the rest of his life.
Dad asked the doctor if he could lower his blood pressure through diet. The doctor said most people don't manage to do it
My dad has managed it, but there have been significant changes in his diet that he has kept up for 7 years now.
Dad asked the doctor if he could lower his blood pressure through diet. The doctor said most people don't manage to do it
Statins don't do anything for blood pressure that I'm aware of
Lowering without medication depends on a number of key factors. If you eat crap all day and do no exercise then lifestyle changes can absolutely lower your cholesterol
Some people however just have high cholesterol. In whixh case statins are your answer
They don't just lower cholesterol. They also help stabilise plaque if you already have it (most folks do if they are over 50).
A 65 year old male. Back in 2011 I had a TIA and as a consequence of that I have been taking 40mg Simvastatin and 75mg Asprin a day since then.
Blood tests have shown that my cholestrol is low.
I had a replacement aortic valve in April last year and all tests and checks showed that my arteries etc are ok.
65 and never been offered statins. Can't remember being tested for cholesterol etc. for ages. Maybe time to book in for an MOT.
I take 10mg Atorvastatin daily for my cholesterol along with 10mg Amlodipine and 5mg Ramipril for my blood pressure.
I've never had any perceptible side effects, my cholesterol and BP are all good at my annual check up. I'm fit and healthy and still enjoy chasing whippersnappers up hills on my gravel bike and going for long rides, and going windsurfing when it's really windy (for context: that's really hard work).
Considering that I eat and drink too much of the supposed wrong stuff and weigh 92kg, as a 72 year old I think life wouldn't be so good without them.
For context, I resisted at first saying let me try "lifestyle changes" (knowing full well that wouldn't happen) but my doctor persisted and I started with the BP meds first and followed a few years later on the statin.
which I have not taken--instead I am working harder at my diet and being more active.
but I do have an aversion to necking down pills just because that's what everyone does at a certain age etc.
He wasn't a fan of the idea of starting a medication and staying on it for the rest of his life.
Backs up anecdotally a discussion I have with GPs reasonably frequently that men seem on the whole more reluctant than women to accept a prescribed routine medication.
There is a link between dietary and blood levels of cholesterol, but its complex, and not as significant or impactful as previously thought - having said that, the benefits of a healthy diet are obvious to everyone and well tested anyway. Genetically high LDL cholesterol is linked very strongly with increased risk of heart attacks and heart disease. lipid control drugs will lower that risk, with almost no side effects (some lethargy, some constipation being to two most common). You're unlikely to be able to control familial hypercholesterolemia with diet and exercise alone if you've been unlucky enough to be diagnosed with it
The evidence of the benefits for statins is really strong. Not least, at population level, the big step reduction in morbidity and mortality stats at age group - particularly 75 y.o. and younger when mass prescribing was rolled out
Cheap and effective. I'd go on them in a heartbeat if the GP said I needed them and I'm being monitored as family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke
Had a couple of NHS health checks and they haven't been mentioned
I'm on them & a lot more besides following 3 heart attacks & a damaged heart(despite being assessed as having a less than 5% risk before these happened).
I'm probably at the point of being happy to try anything that might keep me going (I've recently had dapagliflozin added to my extensive list).
I don't have any objections to taking them it's just not something that's been recommended, if at some point in the future that changes I wouldn't hesitate to take them
It’s hogwash quite frankly, based on misinformation started by religious fanatics, Kelloggs and Ancel Keys
Can we have a reference for this please? From a respected, peer reviewed publication, if you don't mind.
Yep I am. Suspected TIA (temporary vision impairment) a couple of years back.
Also my mum's side of the family has a history of strokes so I'm on statins plus coplidogrel as a precaution.
Felt awful when I first started taking them (got carsick travelling just a few miles - never been carsick in my life before!) but after a few days it settled down.
It’s hogwash quite frankly, based on misinformation started by religious fanatics, Kelloggs and Ancel Keys
Can we have a reference for this please? From a respected, peer reviewed publication, if you don't mind.
Peer reviewed, yeah right! Please supply evidence to support that cholesterol is the devils dark mark. Cholesterol is attempting to help repair the damage caused by carbs, seed oils and other man made nasties that make the plaque in arteries. Cholesterol doesn’t cause it.
The Seventh Day Adventists wanted people to stop consuming animal based fats and proteins because it made humans horny!
“Well, the idea is that they lower your cholesterol level.”
Indeeed, they are supposed to, but for all i know (and as lambchop is at pains to point out) having high cholesterol might be a good thing!
I was " invited" to go on 20mg Avorstatin when my cholesterol was " higher than we'd like " this despite it has been around the same for as long as I can remember 🤔I went on them and so far no issues, my mate on the other hand reckoned he felt aot more tired on them so without discussing it with the quack he stopped taking them , reckons he's feeling a lot more with it . After about 6 months he told the GP
I was " invited" to go on 20mg Avorstatin when my cholesterol was " higher than we'd like "
Sounds like my situation but the stated common side effects put me off, "unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps" – according to NHS website. I've enough muscle cramps and weakness in my legs due to sciatica without adding the risk of making it worse still! If I could get the neuropathic pain resolved I would be more inclined to start taking the prescribed Avorstatin.
Too much emphasis on high cholesterol in modern medicine. It’s hogwash quite frankly, based on misinformation started by religious fanatics, Kelloggs and Ancel Keys. Avoid statins. Eat less sugar/carbs.
Citation needed.
I’d prefer my information to come from a qualified medical professional, not someone who appears to be digging around in the murky depths of the conspiracy web, if that’s all the same to you.
Like my doctor.
Oh, and in answer to the original question, yes, I am, and have been for several years, after tests put me at the upper end of the cholesterol safety line.
I’ve not had any adverse reactions or side effects, I take a couple of prescriptions for my osteoarthritis, and some supplements, like Vitamin D, Zinc, Turmeric and a one for managing my macular degeneration, Macuguard, which has been amazingly effective.
Sounds like my situation but the stated common side effects put me off, "unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps" – according to NHS website. I've enough muscle cramps and weakness in my legs due to sciatica without adding the risk of making it worse still!
Whilst I understand your logic it’s actually illogical:-)
The side effects maybe …. Etc etc, unfortunately these days NHS website doesn’t say if that’s 1:2 or 1:10m people
If doc thinks it’s worth going on them surely give it a go. If side effects appear then you can change, but to avoid based on some potential side effect that probably won’t materialise is not logical
I had a bad dose of pericarditis in 2000 and was put on them as my doctor said it was a good idea for diabetics to use them as they help with other things...
I also have white coat syndrome so every time I go to doctor for a blood pressure check, it is always high...I check it at home and I'm in the normal zone (admittedly at the upper limits) and if I check my blood pressure after running up the stairs I tend to be high-normal...but at the doctor's it is always high.
Anyway, been so long on them, I've no idea if they are working or not - no other problems happening so I'm assuming something positive is happening with them all.
I do have the cough though, normally first thing in the morning, like the upper lung bit isn't quite right...have mentioned it a few times but not got anything done about it...I probably need to.make.an appointment specifically about it.
I have been. I stopped taking them after possible side effects but am going to go back on them as the issues I was experiencing continued
"anecdote is not evidence"
I worked in both acute stroke and stroke rehab. Since statins arrived in the medical world I saw far less serious crippling strokes. So much so that the number of beds for both acute strokes and rehab was decreased significantly.
there is no scientific doubt at all that statins have massively reduced the amount of strokes happening. Statins are one the medicines where the protective effects far outweigh the ill effects. so much so that some medical folk believe every person of a certain age should take them. The protective effects go far beyond a reduction in lipid levels. Its not totally clear to me why this is
Been on statins (10mg) for about 20yrs; history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure in the family. Father died of a heart attack when he was 50 ,his brother at 54. Have made it to 62 now with no side effects from the statins. Also on Amlodipine for high blood pressure..
On on 20mg Avorstatin when my cholesterol was " higher than we'd like " as well. Managed to get my cholesterol down a huge amount by diet but couldn't get it into the normal zone. Been on them for a year now, no side effects and probably in better shape than I have been for 15 years or so. Ive been with the same doctor for years now and I trust her judgment
It's a scientific fact that high LDL cholesterol has a casual link to CVD, It is also a fact that not everyone with high LDL cholesterol levels will go on to have heart disease, or will show signs of coronary atherosclerosis, the best GPs can do is assess your individual Qrisk, and work from there. As @tjagain has pointed out, preventative 'scripts of lipid control drugs has massively reduced the instances of strokes and TIA events. This is a good thing. Conspiracy stories involving SDA and cranks notwithstanding
Here's what my medically trained partner says about statins - yes they lower cholesterol, but there may be another factor that is raising your cholesterol and they do not address that. So they could be hiding something more important.
She much smarter than I.
Been on them for a year now, no side effects and probably in better shape than I have been for 15 years or so.
Just to add, I was a bit worried that going on them would impact my ability to exercise hard - that's what had put me off before - but aside from a weird couple of rides in the first few days, it's been a non-issue. I'm actually the fittest I've been for a few years.
I have been getting into XC riding though, so you could take that as a potential unwanted side effect 😉
Thanks for all the replies. Seems quite a few people are taking them then and that there are a few minor side effects but if you are in a certain risk profile then the benefits far outweigh the issues.
As I said earlier, As my risk is fairly low according to my doc with only my age at 55 and my recent pericardia which did not stem from any cholesterol issues, I'm going to hold off and try some lifestyle changes first and revisit in a year or so.
Cheers