Should I take statins

I have been recommended to take statins for a while now - cholesterol level is just above 7. I don’t have high blood pressure though, so have decided to leave it a while. Apparently, I do have some large gallstones though. Not sure really whether to try them or not.

I stopped taking statins following a discussion with a GP. For a couple of years I had really bad muscle aches and days when I was really in despair at the pains in my body. I have arthritic hands and knees but these pains were something different. Despite the suggestion that I could try a different statin I decided that I would not do that. I am walking a lot more and managing to lose weight slowly. I do realise that this might not greatly change my cholesterol level but I shall feel better for being more active and shedding the flab,

I have had high cholesterol for at least nine years and have had the same conversation with the doctor/nurse over that time about taking statins. I am not overweight, I exercise a lot, don't smoke and eat fairly healthily but it remains high. I am now 74 and the nurse finally convinced me to take them. I did so for 6 weeks and for all that time I have lots of aches and pains and also recurring mouth ulcers. I decided they are not for me but everyone has to make their own mind up.

After my annual blood tests I was called in to talk about statins. I don’t need them as my cholesterol is fine but was Asked did I want to take them even though I don’t need them. Our pharmacist told me that doctors get paid by drug companies for getting people to sign up for statins. HOW IMMORAL IS THAT ?

I take a tablet which isn't actually a statin but does much the same job. I can't take Statins as I get pains in the muscles in my legs.

My husbands oncologist told him to stop taking statins because " they take too long to have any effect" . I'm certainly not telling anyone to take or not take but talk to drs first . Everyone is different .

GPs seem very keen on prescribing statins to those over a certain age. My DH was urged to take them and does now take a low dose. When urged to increase the dosage after a blood test where his cholesterol had gone up fractionally and his heart consultant was not at all worried, he declined, in view of the fact that the urging came from a phone consultation with a pharmacist attached to our GP surgery, who clearly knew nothing about him or his medical records.
It has never been suggested to me but I've not managed to see my GP since 2019. I have reviews for my medication of Naproxen and Fostair but these are now by phone and usually with a nurse practitioner or pharmacist.

After having blood tests last year for a gall bladder removal op it was found I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I never had any health problems nor took any meds at all until this aged 70. Since the op I was prescribed statins and blood pressure meds. Although reluctant my friend a highly trained theatre nurse said "what would you rather have? Two small pills or a stroke"? My question answered there, I feel fine, cholesestrol down to 4 (from 7) and blood pressure normal. I feel so relieved that this problem was found.

I was advised to take statins as well. Instead I read A Statin Free Life by dr-Aseem Malhotra. Very convincing.
Best wishes.

I am ok for blood pressure and just on the right side of the 5 or whatever for cholesterol but with somewhat low good cholesterol. But I am overweight (aged 71). Doctor said I could choose to go on statins as a preventive measure. I did... but I am getting disabling wrist pain that gets better whenever I stop the statins and worse when I restart. Pain wakes me at night and stops me using my hands. Well I have heard of leg pain with statins but is anyone else getting wrist pain with it?

ReadyMeals, I have heard of people experiencing pain elsewhere other than legs. I should ask your Doctor for advice.

Where exactly is the proof that they work and it isn't simply a change of lifestyle/more public information? Also, there is some research that LDL may not be the culprit. I'm not advocating anyone avoid Statins if they feel it's right for them, simply read as much as you can. It's very muddy out there.

The brain contains the highest level of cholesterol in the body so I am wary about taking anything that might interfere with cognitive function.

For Bridie and Joseann, statins are NOT just for cholesterol, all sorts of other benefits. From chats with GP, nurses and chemists, about half the country's old folk take them, so if they were not good, we'd have heard by now!

tictacnana

After my annual blood tests I was called in to talk about statins. I don’t need them as my cholesterol is fine but was Asked did I want to take them even though I don’t need them. Our pharmacist told me that doctors get paid by drug companies for getting people to sign up for statins. HOW IMMORAL IS THAT ?

I don't think they get paid by the drug companies but by NHS as part of their illness prevention programme. It is reckoned that prescribing statins prevents heart attacks and strokes and thus saves the NHS money.

For greyisnotmy, not sure how you or other patients have the expertise to know what's best?? Having said that, your GP sounds uninformed too, from what you say, YOU ARE exactly the category to get some benefit! Re "age and genetics", sure, they're key factors -- it's why people take all sorts of meds for a variety of reasons!! If you want to try some diet help, lots of obvious things to try, there is a vast amount of advice re lowering cholesterol, check what sorts of things have obvious sources of the 'bad' cholesterol our bodies struggle with??! Years ago I upped my oats intake, had home-made oat muffins, porridge could be good, and switched to oaty-bix (flakes) instead of a wheat-based b'fast cereal. But that isn't enough on its own, if you're addicted to some meats and fats, do check those out?

SuzyG

Where exactly is the proof that they work and it isn't simply a change of lifestyle/more public information? Also, there is some research that LDL may not be the culprit. I'm not advocating anyone avoid Statins if they feel it's right for them, simply read as much as you can. It's very muddy out there.

Change of lifestyle does not reduce cholesterol if it is familial, as mine is.

For Coolgran and Nanna, exactly right, statins do a good job for huge numbers of people, and for many, the lowest dose is enough. For anyone linking them to cure high BP, no, statins are not for BP (at least I've never heard that, and I've had a statin for 20+ yrs). Lots of meds for high BP, mine is fractionally high, on some measurements, so I've had 'Candesartan' for many years. It's clear from comments on here that even now, SOME GPs are just not on the same page, may have some odd personal bias re statins, so are reluctant to prescribe them. That seems very odd, given how many folk derive benefits, and I gather they're not an expensive pill as meds go??!

Dr. Watson, you state statins have other benefits other than lowering cholesterol, what are they ?

tictacnana

After my annual blood tests I was called in to talk about statins. I don’t need them as my cholesterol is fine but was Asked did I want to take them even though I don’t need them. Our pharmacist told me that doctors get paid by drug companies for getting people to sign up for statins. HOW IMMORAL IS THAT ?

It is not immoral, because it is not true! Doctors’ practices get bonuses FROM NHS for prescribing a certain amount of preventative medications to certain groups, not from drug companies.

Sorry, Luckygirl, I must have missed your post!

Bridie22

Dr. Watson, you state statins have other benefits other than lowering cholesterol, what are they ?

I think they can also reduce inflammation.

Luckygirl3

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.

Exercises in water is easier.
I swim. I put more effort in some days than others but do make myself go 3 times a week.

Meant to say, if you can get into the pool

Prescribed atrovastatin. Couldn’t swallow. Prescribed rosuvastatin same again.
Can’t get to speak to a Gp. Have to go through surgery pharmacist.
High cholesterol is in my family, mum and grandma died of strokes.