Statins

[KsRancher]

Wondering who on here takes a statin? And how it affects you? 10yrs ago my dad got on a statin. He was 53yrs old, 5'9" and 170lbs. He was at 260 on his cholesterol.

I went and got my bloodwork done for the first time in 8yrs. Last time mine was 185. This time it was 210. Dr. told me that its time I get on some cholesterol medication. She prescribed me advorstatin. Last night I got to looking it up on the internet. Some things really stood out to me on the side affects list. Memory loss and and type 2 diabetes. My dad isn't a sugar eater and never has been. 3yrs ago he started to not be able to see very good. Went to the eye Dr. and got told that he needed to go to his regular Dr. instead. So he did and has diabetes. So they put him on a medication for that. And me and my brother have noticed for the past 1yr-1.5yr that his memory is getting BAD. Bad enough that we are/were thinking maybe something more than just being a little forgetful.



Maybe they aren't related at all. But I am going to call in tomorrow and tell the Dr. my concerns and get her opinion before I start taking them. I know that I probably need to do something to get my cholesterol down. But making me a diabetic and not remembering much isn't very appealing either.

 

[LaHunter]

Do you exercise and stay in good condition?
What is your diet like?
Ask your doc about Vascepa (Omega 3). This can improve your blood work without the side effects of statins.

 

[elkguide]

My cholesterol level was 234 and my Dr. told me that I needed to start a statin. I know too many people that started statins and ended up on this drug to counter that drug and this drug to counter that drug, I told her that would up my exercise level and start eating oatmeal with ground flax seed on it. I already gave up all processed and fast foods. After 2 months my level was 195 and it has gone down to 178 this year.
If you can up your exercise, be careful what you eat, and get plenty of sleep you should be able to change your direction. Of course, the caveat is that some things can be genetic so there is always that.
Good luck.

 

[NICKJ]

There is a test they can do to see if your high cholesterol is from genetics. Can’t remember the name of it tho.

 

[Erict]

My hereditary cholesterol numbers have consistently been over the magic 200 number for a long time. Diet is good and even when changed did not make a dent in the numbers. Doc wanted to go straight to statins, I asked about the lesser alternatives and saw good results with less "risks" using ezetimibe ("Zetia"). You may want to look in to it... or not.

"Zetia and statins reduce cholesterol, each with its different mode of action. Ezetimibe blocks cholesterol from being absorbed from the small intestine. Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol and lipoproteins that our bodies produce by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase."

 

[KsRancher]

Diet could better for sure. I dont do any exercise on its own. But door keep fairly active. For example. Yesterday I loaded and stacked 5 cord of firewood by 1:00pm. Then loaded up the skidsteer and mobilized to a job, dropped and bucked 4 fairly large walnut trees. I spend a lot of time dropping trees, dragging skidder cable and hooking up chokers

 

[OXN939]

Diet could better for sure. I dont do any exercise on its own. But door keep fairly active. For example. Yesterday I loaded and stacked 5 cord of firewood by 1:00pm. Then loaded up the skidsteer and mobilized to a job, dropped and bucked 4 fairly large walnut trees. I spend a lot of time dropping trees, dragging skidder cable and hooking up chokers

I'd consider focused cardio a few times a week. If you don't, that's probably why your cholesterol is outside of normal values.

Really I'd do about anything to avoid getting on a statin. Give the JRE episode with Dr. Aseem Malhotra a listen if you need further motivation.

 

[BBob]

It's not just about cholesterol numbers. Did your doc run your history through a cardio risk calculator? That's what should drive whether you are on a statin and how much statin to take. Statins can have benefit's over just the cholesterol connection/reduction. The older you get your risks get higher and statins can reduce that risk. I don't recall all the details but I've discussed this with my doc and doc friends. My risk calc showed I should be taking a low dose that could reduce my risk. I do and I haven't had any issues.

 

[Chris in TN]

Have you had a coronary calcium score lately?

High cholesterol isn't always bad, and statins aren't always good. I'm not a doctor, just a guy with a lot of experience and opinions, but reluctant to unpack them here.


(My coronary calcium score is -0-. Try a keto diet. It likely saved my life).

 

[BBob]

Have you had a coronary calcium score lately?

Yes, that too!

 

[cnelk]

I’m on 40mg of Atorvastatin daily. Been on it for years
I’ve had the calcium score also. All good

It’s definitely hereditary in my family

 

[PST9]

I'd love to go on a rant here but check out Dr. Shawn Baker and Dr. Ken Berry. Everything we've been told about cholesterol is bogus. Statins are causing the exact symptoms you mentioned in your father.

 

[North of 60]

Get your HDL level up (aerobic exercise) and triglycerides level down (cut out refined carbs). That helps many folks willing to do it. And a high total cholesterol level is definitely genetic in some folks.

 

[BFR]

My Dr. put me on Statins for barely over the line. It almost killed me, lost close to 20 lbs in 2 weeks, weight way beyond what was healthy. I lost muscle, stamina and respiration. The idiot who put me on wanted to wait 6 months and see how I was doing. Went to another doctor who pulled strings to get me in to a couple of specialists for testing, they said I was allergic to Statins and in 6 months would most likely be hospitalized or dead because they were killing my muscles and weakening my heart.

 

[omicron1792]

I would listen to your doctor and not the people here.

Lots more people die from cardiovascular disease than they do a statin.

 

[Mangata]

I would listen to your doctor and not the people here.

Lots more people die from cardiovascular disease than they do a statin.

This

 

[North of 60]

The good news is cardiovascular disease is preventable, or least risk reducible for those willing to eat healthier and exercise. That is coming from someone previously prescribed statins and who lost 55 pounds and has kept it off.

I don't take statins anymore.

 

[bsshaver]

Remember, cholesterol does not cause cardiovascular disease. Oxidation of the cholesterol causes disease. It all goes back to metabolic dysfunction……Sugar, ultra processed food, refined seed oils.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Lionheart]

The whole history of the “rat science” behind the modern push for statin drugs is extremely shaky…and more a lesson in successful sales of pharmaceutical drugs than saving any lives. “Normal” levels of cholesterol have been lowered over the years to bring new patients into the statin business.

History in medicine: the story of cholesterol, lipids and cardiology

Your access to the latest cardiovascular news, science, tools and resources.

www.escardio.org

 

[ztc92]

There are lots of good thoughts shared above but also lots of strong opinions based on individual experience, which can be problematic.

I’m a family doctor and have this exact conversation almost daily. I generally am less inclined to prescribe statins than some of my colleagues, especially in patients who haven’t optimized their lifestyle yet and are willing to do so.

A few thoughts and clarity on the points mentioned above:

- Cholesterol research is ongoing. The best data we have for the general population is based on calculators like the “ASCVD risk calculator”, which is what most doctors use to estimate risk. You can play with this online if you like to see how various factors affect your estimated risk.

- We have yet to discover the “perfect diet” as each individual is different, but in general we all agree it’s good advice to eat whole foods, limit processed foods, focus on fruits, vegetables and protein and try to limit starchy carbs. The diet with the best data is the Mediterranean diet, but that’s likely because it’s been better defined and studied than most others. Keto can be good for the right individual but many people struggle with adherence and then rebound to a worse diet than they stated with.

- If you aren’t sleeping 7+ hours (ideally 8+) you’re likely making things worse, both your cholesterol levels and your general health. The more we study it, the more we learn that it’s a myth that some people “just don’t need as much sleep”. If you have doubts on this, read or listen to podcasts about “Why We Sleep by Michael Walker”. Spoiler, it’s hard to be healthy without good sleep no matter how good your diet and exercise is.

- A healthy weight is essential to having good cholesterol and good overall health. BMI is not perfect, especially for those with a lot of muscle, but it is an easy place to start. I personally think there are lots of healthy people in the “overweight” category (BMI 26-30) but it’s pretty rare someone with a BMI of 30+ (obesity) is actually healthy unless they are a body builder. If your BMI is 25+, then weight loss will likely help your cholesterol.

- Red yeast rice is a supplement that shares properties with statins. I’ve seen it had a modest effect on cholesterol levels in patients who don’t want to take statins. You might consider that as a compromise.

- Coronary Calcium Score is a tool to determine your risk of heart disease. I use this when I of the patient are unsure how scared to be and whether medication (or more aggressive measures) are indicated. If your CCS is very low it suggests healthy coronary arteries and low risk. If it is very high, it suggests high risk of heart disease and I usually recommend referral to a cardiologist.

I agree with others, trust your doctor and involve them in your thought process and approach. Any good doctor in primary care should be well versed in everything I shared above and happy to discuss these topics with you as long as you ensure adequate time for that discussion.

Good luck!