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Do statins lower blood pressure?

Pinkerbell

Pinkerbell

Well-Known Member
Messages
56
Location
Cambridge
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I've been recommended to start on statins by my diabetic team, but a bit worried that they may lower my blood pressure (as well as the possible side effects!) My blood pressure is on the low side, to the point of regular faints, particularly on standing, when hot and after eating. It's under investigation, but keen to avoid anything that will make it worse in the meantime. I asked my DSN, but she didn't know. Do any members have experience with the effects of statins on blood pressure? Also, does anybody know roughly how much giving up smoking is likely to bring my cholesterol down by, if at all? I switched to eciggies last week, the day after my fasting cholesterol test! :)
 
I didn't know stopping smoking had any effect on cholesterol and I would be surprised. It will probably lower your blood pressure.

Diabetics can be prone to postural hypotension which is feeling faint when you stand due to low blood pressure. In turn this is due to autonomic neuropathy. Not much can be done about it.

Don't accept statins based only on a total cholesterol test. Insist on a full lipid profile first. If your lipid ratios are bad then fair enough. But you might want to read the thread here on statin side effects.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
******, I'd hoped giving up might have a positive effect, but never mind. They've done a full fasting lipid profile, so their decision was based on those results.... Ldl is 3.2 and they want it to be around 2, so it didn't seem really bad to me, or out of the realms of possibility that i could deal with it myself... But I don't know much about it. My blood pressure is low all the time, but partiticularly bad on standing. sometimes i just cant stand up for a few hours.
 
Quitting smoking still has many other positive health benefits so well done :-)
 
Pinkerbell said:
******, I'd hoped giving up might have a positive effect, but never mind. They've done a full fasting lipid profile, so their decision was based on those results.... Ldl is 3.2 and they want it to be around 2, so it didn't seem really bad to me, or out of the realms of possibility that i could deal with it myself... But I don't know much about it. My blood pressure is low all the time, but partiticularly bad on standing. sometimes i just cant stand up for a few hours.
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These are the target cholesterol levels for people living with diabetes:

  • Your total cholesterol level should be below 4.0mmol/l.
  • LDL levels should be less than 2.0mmol/l.
  • HDL levels should be 1.0mmol/l or above in men and 1.2mmol/l or above in women.
  • Triglyceride levels should be 1.7mmol/l or less.

As for statins causing low bp, I would discuss your concerns with your gp before starting on the statin. Hope you manage to kick the smoking into touch:)
 
Pinkerbell, I had terrible problems with low bp before I started on thyroid meds, or rather NDT as Levo didn't do much for me. I still feel faint now and then, and if neither magnesium nor extra salt sort it I take a low dose of Atenolol, it helps strangely enough.

Falling bp when standing up can in some cases be due to low cortisol.
 
Totto said:
Pinkerbell, I had terrible problems with low bp before I started on thyroid meds, or rather NDT as Levo didn't do much for me. I still feel faint now and then, and if neither magnesium nor extra salt sort it I take a low dose of Atenolol, it helps strangely enough.

Falling bp when standing up can in some cases be due to low cortisol.
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That's really interesting, I'd never considered that it might be connected with my thyroid, although that has apparently been under good control for 17+years now. Was the low BP associated with uncontrolled hypothyroidism, or was that also while attempting to control with the levothyroxine? Do you know if there are functions of the thyroid which are not corrected by synthesised thyroxine? Mine was destroyed by radioactive iodine used to treat my hyperthyroidism (graves disease)

Thanks everyone for the info on cholesterol :) looks like I will have to traipse along to the GP... I am so sick of doctors waiting rooms!
 
Pinkerbell said:
That's really interesting, I'd never considered that it might be connected with my thyroid, although that has apparently been under good control for 17+years now. Was the low BP associated with uncontrolled hypothyroidism, or was that also while attempting to control with the levothyroxine? Do you know if there are functions of the thyroid which are not corrected by synthesised thyroxine? Mine was destroyed by radioactive iodine used to treat my hyperthyroidism (graves disease)

Thanks everyone for the info on cholesterol :) looks like I will have to traipse along to the GP... I am so sick of doctors waiting rooms!
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I think it might have been low cortisol due to the stress of being untreated for so long in combination with perimenopause. My bp is still low and a problem, but not as bad as it was.

Levo took the edge of symptoms, but NDT made me well. Most who get to try NDT feel much better on it but most Drs are scarily uninformed when it comes to hypothyroid matters and haven't a clue about NDT.

Regarding statins, do a bit of reading first. There are several threads on that subject with lots of links and info.
 
Totto said:
I think it might have been low cortisol due to the stress of being untreated for so long in combination with perimenopause. My bp is still low and a problem, but not as bad as it was.

Levo took the edge of symptoms, but NDT made me well. Most who get to try NDT feel much better on it but most Drs are scarily uninformed when it comes to hypothyroid matters and haven't a clue about NDT.

Regarding statins, do a bit of reading first. There are several threads on that subject with lots of links and info.
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At least I'm not the only diabetic with low BP.... feeling like a bit of a freak! I have been reading several threads on statins and they're not filling me with confidence I have to say. Not sure what to do except to discuss it with my GP, at least I am forewarned as to the side effects if I do decide to go ahead with them.
 
My LDL was 4, I think, but as my HDL was 1.9 and triglycerides were under 1 I'm not too worried. No statins for me, I saw what they did to hubby. Since he stopped them the pain is gone and he is in much better mood.
 
Do bear in mind that cholesterol should rise as you get older
CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is a large sterol molecule, and it is manufactured by almost every cell in the body. It is nature's repair substance. It repairs wounds and tears in the arteries. It gives structural integrity or stiffness to the cells. It is the precursor for vitamin D and bile salts. It is the precursor to the sex hormones. It is a powerful antioxidant which protects us against free radicals. That is why people with low cholesterol levels tend to get cancer, and that is why as you age, your cholesterol levels should naturally go up because it is there to protect you. Finally it is essential for the development and function of the brain and nervous system. You need cholesterol for the proper functioning of the serotonin receptors in the brain. So if it's not cholesterol, what causes heart disease? There are a number of studies and many theories which suggest a diet of fabricated, processed, refined foods.
CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS do not lower the risk of coronary heart disease but in study after study have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, intestinal diseases, depression, suicide and violent behaviour.
This is a quote from Sally Fallon, she wrote the book 'Nourishing Traditions'.
 
Pinkerbell said:
At least I'm not the only diabetic with low BP.... feeling like a bit of a freak! I have been reading several threads on statins and they're not filling me with confidence I have to say. Not sure what to do except to discuss it with my GP, at least I am forewarned as to the side effects if I do decide to go ahead with them.
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Yes the the best approach to discuss matters with your gp, do let us know how you get on.
 
I've never heard of statins causing low-BP; other problem yes. GPs will often find a way to get you onto statins one way or another. Unless you are at a higher risk than normal for heart/circulation problems you may want to Google the web about statins before you go along with them. Whilst most people don't have serious problems, there are those that do and the need to reduce cholesterol in most people isn't proven.
 
I didn't know stopping smoking had any effect on cholesterol and I would be surprised. It will probably lower your blood pressure.
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The problematic chemical in question is acrolein, which can apparently also be found in some electronic cigarettes...
 
Pinkerbell said:
At least I'm not the only diabetic with low BP.... feeling like a bit of a freak! I have been reading several threads on statins and they're not filling me with confidence I have to say. Not sure what to do except to discuss it with my GP, at least I am forewarned as to the side effects if I do decide to go ahead with them.
Click to expand...
I have low BP too. Hope that makes you feel even better! :-)

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
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