Reluctant to start a statin…

Truffle43

My husband has been advised to take statins, he is so against the idea he has completely changed his diet. He is looking at every way he can to lower the cholesterol himself. We hope it works as he has tried so hard. We await the next test.

That’s what I’ve done. Will be seeing the nurse to discuss the results of the new test next month. My concern is that test results are quite complicated and I’m not sure that the nurse will understand the complexity of it. I’m prepared to pay to have some sort of testing done to see what the state of my arteries is before I commit to taking statins. I’m taking plant sterols, switched to Benecol. Eating lots of flax, nuts, chia seeds, protein etc. Have lost weight even though I feel that I’m eating more than I used to. It’s the lack of exercise I’m most concerned about because of my arthritis.

My husband has been advised to take statins, he is so against the idea he has completely changed his diet. He is looking at every way he can to lower the cholesterol himself. We hope it works as he has tried so hard. We await the next test.

Guide to healthy levels for different types of cholesterol from the current NHS website
Result Healthy level
Total cholesterol
Below 5mmol/L (3.5)

HDL (good cholesterol)
Above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women (1.6)

Non-HDL (bad cholesterol)
Below 4mmol/L (1.9)

The ratio between total cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol is what is often given as the result but the full results can be found on the NHS app. (3.5/1.6 = 2.2)

I've put my latest results in brackets so anyone who is interested can see how they work. tbh I used to be quite confused by the results. Hope this helps.

Yoginimeisje

I went to the doctors yesterday, just about my toe problem, I asked the doctor [different one] to clarify my cholesterol readings, and she told me my readings are fine at 5 and always have been! I could see the chart she was looking at.

I checked after some on here said they had never heard of such a high reading and from asking around, same response, also going online to see that 5 is good, also that age makes no deference. In fact, people from about 20-45 have the highest reading because of their lifestyles at that age, whereas, as you get older the readings drop, same reason.

Good job I didn't take those statins; I didn't need them.
Should I report the doctor that told me my reading was 12 and should be 10 for my age group, also saying a big NO when I asked if I could lower my reading with food change.
How many other patients has he done this too, freighting!

They must be getting rewarded for each prescribed statin.

I was told that mine was 15 and shouldn’t be above 10. My partner saw the nurse about something else and she asked him if he was on statins to which he said no because his cholesterol had always been ok and that she should be able to see that by looking at his medical record.

The above post was to Yoginimeisje fwiw my cholesterol/HDL ratio is 2.2. 5 is the highest point on the normal range.

Don't know where you are getting your information but it's different to what I am finding.
"In the UK, the age group with the highest prevalence of raised cholesterol and the highest total cholesterol-to-HDL ratios is 45 to 64 years old. According to the NHS Health Survey for England, up to 72% of people in this age bracket have raised total cholesterol, with middle-aged women experiencing a more pronounced spike than men." AI gen but with recognised medical data

Apparently women see a sharp rise in their ratio when they have gone through the menopause because they lose the protection afforded by oestrogen. My SIL died two weeks ago from a second stroke, she refused to take statins although she'd had a stroke.
"Statins are prescribed after an ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot) to prevent future strokes and heart attacks. They work by lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol, stabilizing fatty plaques in the arteries, and reducing vascular inflammation.Doctors typically prescribe high-intensity statins (like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) regardless of your starting cholesterol levels. This is because the benefits of stabilizing blood vessels and preventing a secondary stroke go beyond just cholesterol reduction.Stopping a statin after a stroke can significantly increase the risk of a recurrent event. " Stroke Association

The need for statins or other cholesterol treatment is entirely individual.

The target for me for a satisfactory level is much lower than most people's because I am 77 and have a stent and a pacemaker. The target for someone else without that medical history will be different. Other factors will be family history, blood pressure and lifestyle, which are different for each of us.

This is why blanket numbers on a site like this are meaningless and misleading. A statement such as "Mine is 5 so I do not need treatment" might be accurate for that one person but not for someone else.

Statins are to PREVENT future problems for the individual based on their situation.

high cholesterol causes furring up of the arteries as we age and heart attack, strokes if blood cannot flow freely through our arteries!
I take simvastatins and eat healthily.. I also buy plant sterols which are said to help.

ny mother went to bed one night and didn't wake up in the morning.. age 69. she was unaware her arteries were furred up of course. autopsy. verdict.

I went to the doctors yesterday, just about my toe problem, I asked the doctor [different one] to clarify my cholesterol readings, and she told me my readings are fine at 5 and always have been! I could see the chart she was looking at.

I checked after some on here said they had never heard of such a high reading and from asking around, same response, also going online to see that 5 is good, also that age makes no deference. In fact, people from about 20-45 have the highest reading because of their lifestyles at that age, whereas, as you get older the readings drop, same reason.

Good job I didn't take those statins; I didn't need them.
Should I report the doctor that told me my reading was 12 and should be 10 for my age group, also saying a big NO when I asked if I could lower my reading with food change.
How many other patients has he done this too, freighting!

They must be getting rewarded for each prescribed statin.

Yoginimeisje, the rise in the number of people being diagnosed with dementia might, perhaps, be related to the greater number of us living longer.

I also take a magnesium supplement and it's stopped the night cramps. I've been taking a statin for years and I think it's the hot nights that cause my cramps and also allowing myself to become dehydrated.

I take a magnesium supplement, no more night cramps

I started taking Atorvastatin (20 mg) about 2 months ago and was pleased to suffer no ill effects but this past week have suffered really badly from cramp - I have to get out of bed in the early hours when it starts and could scream with the pain. The next morning the cramp may have gone but my calves carry on aching all day. I guess it is back to the GP to find an alternative

Stop taking it. My husband was prescribed 5mg and made him feel absolutely awful.
I am sure you know how irresponsible this post is. You do not know the medical history. Would you wish a stroke to be on your conscience?

I worked at a medical centre for years and my advice would be to question everything and, if you’re not happy with advice from a doctor get a second opinion. Because mistakes are made . Which doesn’t mean listen to Dr Google or take advice from people on the internet. We didn’t tell people to see a doctor straight away if they suffered from any muscle pain for no reason.

Honestly, take advice from a gp or consultant you trust. Posters saying don’t take them they’re dangerous, are unlikely to have studied medicine or been a cardiologist

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

TBF, Statins have been on the market for nearly 40 years. They were available in pharmacies without a prescription in 2004 and withdrawn in 2010 due to low customer demand but only the 10mg lowest dose was available and only after a discussion with the pharmacist.

I have Ibesartan for high blood pressure and Arvostatin for cholesterol. I strted with Arvostatin alternate days and am now happy to take it every day.

Well I saw many people prescribed Omeprazole for years when it was a drug that wasn't meant to be taken long term, when imo the patients should have been offered advice re diet and lifestyle [ditto anti depressants]. And Omeprazole has long term side effects. When statins first came out they were sold over the counter at chemists; at least they're now prescription only and people have to have medical reviews when on them.

Same here Lucky. I’ve also never felt a drug was recommended by my GP or specialist without clear reasons given

It is unfortunate that sometimes conspiracy theories take hold and people do not then get the benefit from treatments that might help them.

Believe me I would bin every one of my drugs if I could, but I know they are keeping me alive and preventing further life-threatening episodes.

At no point have I ever felt that any of these drugs were given without good intent.

Exactly Luckygirl. Those of us with complex chronic health problems may resist meds initially but most of us have to accept we take the drugs or else!

It is good that GPs deal quickly with those who suffer side effects, and good that so many do not and have had the benefit from them.

That Atorvastatin caused my husband to have awful leg pain. Lots of press stories over the years negative about it citing muscle damage. My husband was taken off it quickly by his GP. I didn’t get on with it either.