Statins

[kim#mimi]

I've recently started taking them as my cholesterol has gone up to 7.4.. I have told my Dr I shan't be on them long term.

 

[MrsA2]

And just to muddy the waters with an anecdote...
A friends husband has Parkinsons which seemed be accelerating. They swear blind that since being prescribed statins a few weeks ago he has got a lot better.
Statins are not always prescribed just because of numbers, sometimes there's a valid reason.

On here we always tend to assume it because of diabetes and posters may not always disclose other health conditions or family history

Posted just to try to reintroduce a variety of views

 

[Resurgam]

Statins can be recommended even if your cholesterol levels are normal because they help reduce the risk of heart disease, especially with long-term diabetes.

I have asked for the numbers/evidence of this several times now and still not been shown the evidence of any benefit from taking statins. If there is evidence I'd have thought that it would be headline news.

 

[Outlier]

In research terms, it is very difficult to prove a negative. So really, the 'reduce the risk of....' is hypothesis.

Why would someone with clear arteries (e.g. me) be put under pressure to take statins? In case one day those arteries might suddenly clog up?

 

[Chris24Main]

Remember that arteries really don't clog up. This is a very powerful mental narrative.. but it just doesn't happen. The cellular layer of the arteries, the Endothelium, is amazingly complex.. and has a flurry barrier layer called the Glycocalix which wasn't even known of when all of this was first mooted. The idea that bits of fatty stuff just stick to artery walls is ludicrous.

The idea that things (including the small dense LDL types, but also smoke particles, glucose and other damaging things) may damage this lining and cause a clotting response which can turn into a plaque if it's just happening more often than we can heal... Well, that makes more sense to me anyway.