Risk score for heart attack and stroke

GuidingSenses said:

Hi my score is 17% so will be starting on statins low dose soon as this has raised since last yearly review.
I’m type 1.5 on Novorapid and Tresiba and diagnosed just before lockdown.
Good or bad reviews of statins?

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Who did the assessment, and were you involved in it? Have you had the results explained to you, rather than just been told a number?

The reason I ask is my GP seems to be going through a phase where he needs to repeat my QRisk score ad nauseum. In total, five times this year. The results are never the same.

I have never been asked my height or weight, and last I actually eye-balled by GP was pre-lockdown. My weight is stable so that won't have changed much, but when I use the tool, I get different scores to him.

There are many threads on the forum relating to statins, so maybe a search could help.

Mixed for me. I stopped taking them after 3 different ones gave me extreme muscle pain. they also raise your BG levels. What kind of blood test did they do? In my opinion a "total" level is as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. But also saying that my Dad has familial hypercholesterolemia and has been taking them since his mid 40's and is now 77 with no major issues

ianf0ster said:

There are lots of doubters about the use of statins and whether they have benefits for the majority of people. Certainly most of them rise BG and often require a supplement of CoQ10.
Hypercholesterolemia is a case where I think all (or almost all) agree they have a use.
The opposite case is for post-menopausal women where several studies show those with higher cholesterol (which is said to provide better immune function) on average live longer than those with on-target cholesterol.

It isn't as straightforward as most people think. So as @AndBreathe suggests, take a look at some of the many Cholesterol and Statins threads. Then make an informed decision.

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Ian, pedant to pedant here ; Hypercholesterolemia merely describes elevated lipid levels, so quite a blanket term. I'm wondering if you are thinking more of Familial Hypercholesterolemia which should possibly be viewed a little differently - in my opinion.

GuidingSenses said:

Well my sister has mini strokes and my dad passed with a stroke yet mum none of those. But I will try a low dose as hoping the benefits outweigh the hindrances - Thankyou everyone

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I can totally see how that would influence you.

Should you be unlucky and experience side effects there are many statin you could try.

Hi,

I haven’t been to the site for ages; could you recommend a good thread on statins and blood sugar raises. Is that a ‘known’ thing here?

Many thanks

Dillinger

ianf0ster said:

There are lots of doubters about the use of statins and whether they have benefits for the majority of people. Certainly most of them rise BG and often require a supplement of CoQ10.
Hypercholesterolemia is a case where I think all (or almost all) agree they have a use.
The opposite case is for post-menopausal women where several studies show those with higher cholesterol (which is said to provide better immune function) on average live longer than those with on-target cholesterol.

It isn't as straightforward as most people think. So as @AndBreathe suggests, take a look at some of the many Cholesterol and Statins threads. Then make an informed decision

Click to expand...

Dillinger said:

Hi,

I haven’t been to the site for ages; could you recommend a good thread on statins and blood sugar raises. Is that a ‘known’ thing here?

Many thanks

Dillinger

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Hi,

Great to see you back. Actually I keep getting pushed statins on reviews for the last 15 years as a “gentleman of a certain age” like I still need a “nightlight? Or a Thomas the tank engine bed spread. My concern is the “other side effects.” I’ve no intention of slowing down…

I've also ben given no advice really on how to deal with this. Just 'take the statin'. I'm struggling with diet and what to eat and would be interested in other peoples advice. I'm sorry I have no advice for you though. I wish you luck

A few years ago, I was told the guidance was for everyone over the age of 40 with diabetes to take statins.
I was told this was based on research which should the benefits to people who did not exercise and were overweight but there was no evidence to support a benefit for someone with diabetes who is not overweight, exercises regularly and does not have high cholesterol. So I declined.

More recently, they have been "offered" again even though my situation has not changed (apart from aging another 10 years). This time I was told that people with diabetes experience more swings in BG which puts extra strain on our hearts.
I still declined. I guess I am not inclined to take preventative medication - I would rather take preventative exercise and manage my diabetes to minimise the swings.