Should I take statins

I don't know why people are so against taking medicines. My DH takes a myriad of pills and he is now 80, his father died of a heart attack at 62 and his father's father before him. I take tablets to reduce the chance of a stroke as I have had a bout of AF and tablets to help prevent breast cancer recurrence. I don't see the virtue in saying I am 77 years old and take no medication. The reason we all live longer now is the improvement in medical science. I will take anything I am offered if the doctor thinks it is a good idea.

Reading through the posts I was surprised initially at the range of levels that are being considered as risky, some seem very low. Five years ago I was at 6.8 but was told that gave me a 7% increased risk of stroke/heart attack within 10 yrs. Dr said risk would have to be 15%+ for statins. This yr my level has increased to 7.4 and risk rate increased to 13%. As I posted earlier, I agreed with Dr to give it 6 months to see if I can reduce it. Like many other posters I'm reluctant to commit to daily medication, I don't take any other meds at the moment. My BP is fine and my BMI is within normal range. I'm using a calorie counting app to monitor my saturated fat intake, it's amazing how much is lurking in chocolate and ready meals, it's not necessarily the usual suspects that are the issue. Dr said lifestyle only has 25% impact on levels so unlikely to reduce it by much but I'm giving it a go as it's last chance saloon to stay off daily meds.

Sorry posted too soon by accident

Given my healthy weight etc my GP referred me to the Lipid Clinic which I'd never heard of. I looked it up and it investigates inherited high cholesterol. I then thought about my family history research and one line of my family has a high number of sudden deaths of people in their 50s. The other half of the family have lived long and healthy lives. It seems I may have Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) so I'm taking the statins - 20mg atorvastatin daily (when I remember!). No side effects except wind (I take a peppermint tablet with meals) and my stomach is like a football. There's a 50:50 chance of passing the gene on. BP coming down without medication so far.

I think I wrote about this earlier grandmama. Like you I am happy that at 75 I take no meds.
My bp is low normal and don’t have family history of heart lung diabetes etc so havnt started taking the pills ~ yet.

Someone posted about statins in September. I posted a little while after that because I'd been diagnosed with very high cholesterol and high BP although everything else in the blood test was fine. I was reluctant to take statins partly because I was keen at 75 to boast about being very healthty and medication-free (1). My Qrisk was 28%. However my GP referred me to the lipid clini

My cholesterol is 6.9 so quite high. I don’t have any other health problems apart from being overweight.
My lifestyle is reasonably healthy and diet is good. I have been prescribed 20 mg atorvastatin 1x a day. I suggested a smaller dose but he didn’t agree. I don’t take any other medication.
If I could see or speak to a doctor I would like to talk it through. The idea of one every other day appeals.
When statins were prescribed it was done on the phone with a pharmacist at the surgery. I was offered a blood test after 3 months.

Been taking statins for over 10 years with no problems whatsoever.

I can see what you are reading silverlining. I have been persuaded to try them at 76 as my cholesterol is very high. A friend has persuaded the Dr to let her take one every other day. In the last year a number of people at groups I go to have started them in their late 70s and even 80s what is going on?
I am taking them for 3 months and then asking for another blood test I want to see what has happened in that time, I know my sleep is now disturbed.

Dragonfly just checked again and found it quickly on the NHS sites. For those without diabetes and heart contraindications etc prescribing statins do not benefit over 75s. There was also some research which agrees with that. it’s up to individuals of course but that’s what I found.

It is very much genetic too.
DH saw an Indian consultant cardiologist a few years ago who said it is also very prevalent in the Indian community (East London).

In most cases it's the ageing process which causes a rise in cholesterol not diet or lack of exercise although a diet that's high in saturated fats and a lack of exercise won't help
.

silverlining48

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.

I have checked the NHS website and cannot see where it says you should not start taking statins over 75. I have always had high good cholesterol but the doctor explained as I was 77 the chances of me having a stroke were higher.

I did indeed question the necessity for statins with a cholesterol level so low but was informed the current thinking is that it should be even lower and that would not be achieved by diet and exercise. It is apparently my family history of strokes and heart problems which cause concern.

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

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,

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.

Out of curiosity... typo

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.

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.

Bridie22

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

Agree.

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.

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 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).

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.

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