Are Statins the Right Choice for You?

A common fact that we know is that statins lower your blood cholesterol level, especially the bad cholesterol (LDL). A high level of LDL can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Your risk is even higher if you have high blood cholesterol together with other risk factors such as advanced age, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, family history of heart attack, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption.

Unfortunately, there has been much “fake news” in recent years suggesting that statins should not be taken due to side effects.

The benefits of statins far outweigh the risks, especially for patients with proven heart disease, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association based on new analysis of decades of scientific research published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

For patients with proven coronary artery disease, such as those with heart attacks, bypass surgery or stents for narrowed arteries, moderate to high dose statins are strongly recommended to reduce re-narrowing of arteries and the risk of heart attack, in addition to diet and exercise. For patients without proven heart disease, the decision whether to take a statin will be based on the overall assessment of cardiac risk, such as whether the patient has diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

As with any other medication, statins should be taken after consultation with your doctor. Side effects such as muscle ache and higher blood sugar have been reported but are rarely serious and will resolve on stopping the medication. For patients at increased risk of heart attack, the benefits substantially outweigh the risks.