Should I take statins

I have just started taking statins after a long discussion with my GP. I am 77 and have had AF. I also disovered they reduced the risk of a recurrence of breast cancer. I would rather give them a try than have a stroke.

I've been taking statins for a few years. When I suggested coming off them my doctor did an assessment, family history etc and didn't agree. I've stayed on them and my cholesterol is excellent. Fortunately I don't appear to have any side effects.

I've taken them for years, family history is very bad. My cholesterol is still 5 plus. Think they're worth taking.

This is a discussion you should be having with your GP. Please do not stop taking them without consulting with him/her first.

I'm wondering the same thing Susytish, mine has been high for years. I had an NHS health check recently and it had risen again. I agreed with my GP to review in six months during which time I'll make some serious effort to reduce it through diet and exercise. Unfortunately he said age and genetics were the biggest factors and nothing would change them so he was doubtful my efforts would have a significant effect. I expect I will be taking them by next summer but better that than a stroke or heart attack.

I’ve been taking them for 30 years and find that the lower dose suits me. If I take a higher dose, that the doc recommends, I get a lot of stiffness and backache. My cholesterol is 5.5 on the lower dose but you have to think of quality of life.

I’ve been given the option to take them. Mine was 5.8 my good cholesterol was very good apparently, so the choice is mine.
I’m overweight and don’t exercise much, but the Dr said changing my lifestyle wouldn’t help. I’m going to wait until my next birthday when I’ll have another test then decide. I’m 66.

My gp practice sent letters to everyone over 70 inviting us for a blood test. From there onward the pharmacist dealt with results, my cholesterol was just over 3 but because of family history suggested I take statins. The first lot gave me dreadful side effects but he changed the brand and all is now well.As others have said if it prevents a stroke its worth doing

3 sounds a very low cholesterol level to be introducing statins.

If I hear yet another older person saying they have been offered to take statins, I shall scream! It seems to me there is an automated button the GP presses once you reach 65 even though the level might be acceptable. It seems weird not to explain , the letter is clearly just a general flyer, so for that reason I am torn as to what to do. Wait until next year's blood test sounds about right.

I’m grateful to have them and I have no side effects 👍

As we get older our ability to process fats diminish and it's difficult to make much of an improvement with dietary changes. My cholesterol had gone up to 6, I've taken statins for 6 months, it's now 4 with HDL etc all in normal range. I've had no side effects tbh I wouldn't hesitate to try them. If you get side effects there are others that you can try.

After a difficult start I am on a low dose and can manage them. Family history makes them a good idea for me.

I eat no red meat, no cheese (migraine trigger), no milk or eggs (don't like them). I am normal weight .... and mine is 6.6. What else can I do? .... my mobility is poor so exercise is a problem.
I am about to go on cholestyramine and add a statin soon.

I have no idea what my reading is. I assume it is OK. I take no medication at all.

A lot of my friends are taking statins though. At lunch with a couple on Wednesday, one of them said that statins make it more likely that you will develop type 2 diabetes.

Not sure if that is correct?

Our NHS drug bill must be massive, my DH takes about 6 different pills including statins (heart).

Joseann

If I hear yet another older person saying they have been offered to take statins, I shall scream! It seems to me there is an automated button the GP presses once you reach 65 even though the level might be acceptable. It seems weird not to explain , the letter is clearly just a general flyer, so for that reason I am torn as to what to do. Wait until next year's blood test sounds about right.

I couldn’t agree more 👏👏👏

I’m 71 and after a CT scan for lung problems it showed that I also have mild Coronary Heart disease. The Consultant at the hospital suggested that I go on Statins, I’ve been on them for a month with no side effects, I’m normal weight for my height and my Cholesterol is in the normal range.
Without the CT scan I wouldn’t have known that I was at more than a ‘normal’ risk from a stroke, for my age.
I wonder though how many of us older people have heart disease but just don’t know it? So IMO it makes sense to have the Statins ‘just in case’ at age 65 or whatever, than run the risk of heart attack or stroke. As long as I don’t get any side effects I’m more than happy to take them.

Bridie22

3 sounds a very low cholesterol level to be introducing statins.

Agree.

After trying through diet and exercise to reduce mine over 6 months I started on a low dose in October, with no side effects. I have a blood test next month, my cholesterol was 6, I’m hoping for a reduction.

I am 75 and reluctantly agreed to statins recently. Cholesterol had increased but I exercise and eat healthily with no other health problems other than being overweight.
Outbid curiousity I had a look on the nhs website and it states no one should start taking statins after the age of 75. Spoke to a doctor friend who is in a similar position and she has decided not to take them. I am still not sure but inclined to agree with her.

Out of curiosity... typo

Katyj

I’ve been given the option to take them. Mine was 5.8 my good cholesterol was very good apparently, so the choice is mine.
I’m overweight and don’t exercise much, but the Dr said changing my lifestyle wouldn’t help. I’m going to wait until my next birthday when I’ll have another test then decide. I’m 66.

I too had the option, and after suffering some pain, I decided to stop. However following major heart surgery my GP has told me my 'good' cholesterol is not so high, and he thinks I should take them. Took a couple of changes, but all seems well. I'd say a discussion with a GP you trust is a good idea. And, Whitewave, I'm curious as to why you presume yours is okay, as I had no idea mine was high.

First time taking them I had pains in my legs,cramps at night, so asked to be taken off them, but about a year ago my cholesterol was high so tried again on a different one and my cholesterol is now good and no pain,there are many so one will suit, wish I'd tried this one earlier,

luckygirl some people have naturally higher chlorestrol my mums was always over 7 She ate a very very good diet very little fat no sugar no salt grew their own veg she lived to 90 and although had Alzheimer’s ( not vascular dementia) she was the fittest in the care home never got any illnesses that were going around no strokes, or heart problems
If you shouldn’t start after 75 that’s me out of the equation fine by me I don’t want to take them

notoveryet a count of 3, but put on Statins sounds ridiculous I can not understand that at all did you not query it ?

I agree joseanne I think they are over prescribed