High cholesterol

Re statins. 6 weeks ago I was encouraged to take statins so I did. My cholesterol level was 6.8. Whilst a blood test a week ago shows a reduction in levels, I’m seriously thinking of giving up and so will talk to my doctor. I have osteoarthritis, spondylitis etc. but have always managed a good, brisk walk most days. Not now, my energy levels are low, I have aches and pains all over, including weak ankles so walking, and indeed moving around, is too painful. I have no family history of strokes, heart attacks etc. so, basically, I’m questioning the wisdom.

How can we tell what our cholesterol levels are, please? I had a routine annual blood test recently. Heard nothing which with my practice = no adverse news to report. Have just now looked up the result on my NHS app and find no mention of cholesterol at all. Is it in disguise, or just not part of a routine blood test.

In the past few years both my brother and brother-in-law have had strokes. My brother's was severe and he suffered a mild heart attack on the way to hospital.
Neither of them has ever suffered with high cholesterol or high blood pressure. My brother had regular health checks so he knows his numbers. Thankfully he has mostly recovered.

Yes overall health good mixed diet exercise good sleep etc
The body knows what it needs

I saw recently that for every 50 people taking statins for 5 years, one stroke/heart event would be prevented. I don’t know if this is the case as it seems very low to be called successful. If it is the case, then 49 people out of every 50 are being medicated for no positive reason. Maybe LadyWee would be able to give us a little more information if she’s still following the thread.

Hi yes. Malcom Kendrick is a good read and for understanding how it all works, ( The cholesterol Con read). takes the intensity away! Worse to have no cholesterol. its stored in liver to be used as sticking plaster when needed, human body very clever.
Dr Sarah Myhill is also an interesting person/exGP for more natural alternatives and approaches for wellness

I have resisted statins, my cholesterol is high. I’ve cut out sugar completely, upped fruit and vegetables intake, eat 2 slices of wholemeal bread a day, much prefer crusty white and butter though. Don’t know what the reading is now. Friends that are on Statins it say they can eat anything and have no side effects but I’m still to be convinced. The least medication and intervention is the way I’ve always been. I am frightened of a stroke, but don’t think statins will prevent that, I worry to much and don’t sleep well which is far worse on my body.
Never heard of black seed oil but won’t be buying it, I would like to see the actual proof that it worked. They keep changing what is and isn’t good for you,

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I am taking rosuvastatin 5mg and have terrible dizziness and a heavy feeling in my head. Would like to stop them - but drs warn me that both my heart and my CKD and kidney (I only have one) would benefit

Thank you Rosina.

The important thing is the ratio of LDL to HDL so a high HDL is helpful. The ratio should be below 5. LDL stands for low density lipoproteins and HDL for high density lipoproteins.
The studies on the value of statins talks about NNT which means numbers needed to treat to avoid one event of stroke or heart attack. I cannot quote recent figures but say as a example the NNT is 15. This means 15 people would need to take a statin for a year to prevent one event. Obviously if you are the one who has had a stroke/ heart attack avoided it is brilliant!

My cholesterol was 7.2 but I wasn't offered statins as my HDL was high. Lots of salmon and porridge! I still wish it was lower though.

Kate Dr. Kendrick feels that many are being conned and possbly frightened into taking a drug that they don't need or won't help them. Our own experience has been a salutary lesson - not only did statins reduce OH to a very unhappy state within weeks, but the GP subsequently told him that there was little research into any positive benefits for the over 60's. Dr. Kendrick has documented information that made such interesting reading, backed up by international research and statistics. I believed what he said, I think he is right and is talking a lot of good sense, but of course anyone is free to disagree.

I will try to find this book. In the meantime, in what way is he saying it's a con?

mumofmadboys if you read the book mentioned by an earlier poster, 'The Great Cholesterol Con' by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, it is an eye opener. (Available from Amazon. ) He has produced data using statistics gathered from worldwide health organisations, and is himself an eminent and experienced medical professional.

Thank you for posting the fact sheet LadyWee, I found it very helpful.

Good post LadyWee and I really think people should check with their medical professionals before they spend a lot of money on 'home remedies'.

There is quite a long of worrying misinformation in this thread.

There is a difference in primary and secondary prevention ie to try and avoid an event or to try and stop it happening again once it had occurred. There is also a difference with those that have a genetic abnormality such as familial hypercholesterolaemia..

There are different guidelines and management for these conditions and not to be confused.
It is medically quite complex.

If we are simply talking about primary prevention then dietary changes can be very effective but this is often a overhaul of a lifestyle rather than just cutting out the odd thing here and there and lots of people don’t have that fully explained to them as doctors don’t have the time and patients don’t always want to undergo significant lifestyle changes, understandably.

If you want to follow the dietary route I would advise doing some research. The doctors kitchen podcasts are a good source of information. Plant based professionals also has information in the website.
Many factsheets around too www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/nutrition-and-dietetics/lowering-cholesterol-next-steps.pdf

I have been taking statins for many years but refused to go on a higher dose because it affects my joints. The lower dose is tolerable and they certainly lower cholesterol. I also use lots of olive oil and we have,broadly, what they call a Mediterranean diet. Never had problems with blood pressure and lately they have been saying olive oil is good for this and instinctively I think that is probably right. I tried to lower cholesterol naturally but mine only drops a little and not enough. Having said that, both my parents had very high cholesterol and they were both very active and slim but both died of heart attacks. Can’t win, can you ?

mumofmadboys

Where is the evidence from Rosina that the majority of people who have a stroke or heart attack do not have an elevated cholesterol please?

There's loads of so-called info about this, much of it inaccurate.

The best indicator of heart attack risk is the Triglyceride/HDL-C ratio. People with a high triglyceride level often have low HDL-C. Statins have been shown to help with reducing triglycerides.

I must have been taking statins for nearly 20 years now and all they have done is lower my cholesterol.

Where is the evidence from Rosina that the majority of people who have a stroke or heart attack do not have an elevated cholesterol please?

Sorry to learn that so many people have suffered taking statins, I am so pleased that I stopped taking them and will not be taking anymore, I will try changing my diet and have already started taking Black seed oil.

MerylStreep the single fact that the majority of people who have an 'incident' (stroke or heart attack) do not have raised cholesterol levels should be enough to put anybody off taking them. My OH asked the doctor what the statistics were for statins helping people over sixty five and was told there is very little information. It is frightening that they are handed out so freely when so many complain of side effects - always played down or denied. Evidently in Europe a cholesterol level of 7 is perfectly acceptable - only if it goes over 8 is there any action taken.

Agree Kate and GagaJo!