Diabetes and Statins

Diabetes and statins have a complex relationship and are the focus of intense patient and healthcare debate. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Statins are used in diabetes care due to the knowledge that people with diabetes face a greater likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

When used alongside good blood glucose control and other medication, the case for statins argues that they cut cholesterol levels and lower the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Type 2 diabetes in particular is certainly a disease of the circulatory system, and this argument has some weight.

How can I lower my risk of cardiovascular problems without taking statins?

There are many ways to lower your risk of stroke and cholesterol levels. These include stopping smoking and controlling your blood pressure. Diet and exercise can help to lower raised blood pressure, and a healthy lifestyle can cut cholesterol levels.

However, some doctors prescribe statins to help reduce cholesterol levels. 

What do statins do for people with diabetes?

Statins slow the action of the liver in manufacturing cholesterol, causing blood cholesterol levels to fall.

There are a variety of different statins available on prescription in the UK, including:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL)
• Pravastatin (Lipostat)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

Do statins work for people with diabetes?

Statins definitely lower cholesterol, and major studies have shown that the risk of heart attack and stroke plummets amongst people with diabetes taking statins. Results indicate that statins can prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing heart attack and stroke risks.

What are the side effects of statins?

Statins are usually well-tolerated by people with diabetes. Side effects can include:

• Headaches
• Affect on liver function
• Stomach problems such as abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, diarrhoea and vomiting
• Rashes
• Disorder of the muscles (myopathy)

• Read more about Statins Side Effects

Shouldn’t all people with diabetes therefore take statins?

Statins are the subject of current and ongoing healthcare debate when it comes to diabetes patients. Further research is in progress to make the wider use of statins in diabetes care more clear.

Often, people under 40 may not benefit from taking a statin.

A statin is also just one part of diabetes care and shouldn’t be used instead of good diet, exercise, smoking and excess drinking avoidance.