Secondary cardiovascular disease statins

annabell1 said:

questions regarding taking statins became T2D 7 years ago due to prednisone and recently been advised to go back on statins from a cardiologist my CT-A scan shows I have a blockage in my LAD arteries cac score 255 recommended to go on statin and aspirin evern so I'm allergic to aspirin so I'm not impressed... he wrote to my GP about taking them but doesn't want to see me again. I'm wondering if I should take them especially when you hear about the many side effects. My GP has provided me documentation from the UPTODATE web page on lipoprotein cholesterol (ldl-c) in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease to read so I can make a decision. Was wondering if anyone has any information on the secondary Prevention of taking statins thank you

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SaskiaKC said:

My doctor prescribed atorvastatin for me 3 months ago. I have my 3-month checkup this afternoon and will be interested to learn what effect this statin is having on my cholesterol.

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annabell1 said:

I'm wondering if I should take them especially when you hear about the many side effects.

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Guzzler said:

Good Luck, lass. xx

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Sapien said:

The primary benefit of statins is reduction of arterial inflammation and stabilization of any existing arterial plaque. This makes laying down new plaque less likely due to lower inflammation (normal blood sugar very important to minimize artery inflammation). The stabilization makes it less likely that a plaque breaks off to form a clot.

If taken statins should be taken in the lowest dose to minimize side effects which include the risk of new onset of diabetes or worsening of existing diabetes.

The actual benefit of lowing LDL cholesterol is very contentious. Some studies show benefit and others show no benefit (and even added risk in those with very low cholesterol). Naturally having low LDL may be a marker of low arterial inflammation.

High HDL is correlated with reduced cardio risk, but trials of drug that increase HDL have been a failure. High HDL is probably a market of general fitness and simply increasing it artificially may have no benefit.

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Guzzler said:

Good Luck, lass. xx

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SaskiaKC said:

Thank you, @Guzzler .
My test results were really good, numbers were all down after 3 months OFF low-carb and back to eating some grains (mostly oatmeal and oat cereal and oat-grain bread) and taking the statin. A1C was down, LDL cholesterol was way down from what it had been 3 months earlier. My blood pressure was way down too, lowest it's been in years. The only number that went up was my weight, about 4 pounds, but I would willingly trade such a small gain in weight for such a great loss in LDL and A1C numbers.

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Jo_the_boat said:

That's a well-reasoned post. Well done.
There is an avid anti-statin brigade but some of us, on advise from cardio-vascular specialists, take them.
In my case certainly NOT for cholesterol control but for the points mentioned in the first paragraph above.

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