Who should not be on a statin?

Statins should not be taken if you have liver disease or if blood tests suggest that your liver may not be working properly. This is because statins can affect your liver, and this is more likely to cause serious problems if you already have a damaged liver.

What to watch out for when taking statins?

What are the two downsides of taking statins?

inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause flu-like symptoms. inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain. skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash. sexual problems, such as loss of libido (reduced sex drive) or erectile dysfunction.

Why would someone not want to take statins?

Fear of side effects and perceived side effects are the most common reasons for declining or discontinuing statin therapy. Willingness to take a statin is high, among both patients who have declined statin therapy and those who have never been offered one.

Do cardiologists recommend statins?

Those guidelines recommend statins for adults ages 40 to 75 who have a 7.5% or greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years, as opposed to a 10% risk.

Study Confirms What Many Patients Taking Statins Have Said for Years | NBC Nightly News

Why do cardiologists push statins?

Because many factors are involved, your cholesterol numbers may be considered normal and yet you may still be found to be at an elevated risk for heart problems. As a result, statin medications are now used to lower the risk of heart disease and heart events in most anyone found to be at high risk.

What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?

What is the danger of statins?

Side Effects of Statins: Risk Versus Benefit

Like all drugs, statins bring the risk of side effects. Muscle pain, liver damage, increased blood sugar, and fuzzy thinking are the most common – which can scare some candidates off. But as Dr.

What is the best statin with the least side effects?

According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects.

Is statin worth the risk?

If you have high cholesterol and are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, you should consider statins. That's because the benefits of statins greatly outweigh the risks. Statins reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke by up to 25%, and death by 10%.

Can you stop taking statins once you start?

If you're taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol, you will need to keep taking your prescription, or your cholesterol will likely go back up. Stopping your statin can put you at risk of having heart disease and other preventable health problems like stroke and heart attack from high cholesterol.

Is there a new drug to replace statins?

PCSK-9 inhibitors thus reduce cholesterol levels by maintaining higher levels of LDL receptors that remove cholesterol from the blood. Currently, PCSK-9 inhibitors are limited in use as they must be administered as shots. Further research into them could expand their use as an alternative to statins.

Should I or shouldn't I take statins?

Statins should be taken with caution if you're at an increased risk of developing a rare side effect called myopathy, which is where the tissues of your muscles become damaged and painful. Severe myopathy (rhabdomyolysis) can lead to kidney damage. Things that can increase this risk include: being over 70 years old.

Should I be afraid to take statins?

There is no reason to be afraid of taking statins if you are at high risk for heart attack or stroke. What's really scary is the amount of inaccurate information out there that keeps so many people from getting the protection they need!

Can statins reverse clogged arteries?

Abstract. Previous studies have shown that the commonly used statin lipid lowering drugs can delay the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Atorvastatin can stabilize atherosclerotic plaque, but it can not reverse atheromatous plaque.

Can statins cause weight gain?

Statin use is associated with increased calorie intake and consequent weight gain.

What is a natural alternative to statin drugs?

For patients who can't tolerate cholesterol-lowering statins, natural remedies like bergamot, garlic and green tea may be a useful alternative, based on a recent statement published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

What is the first drug of choice for cholesterol?

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes. You take a tablet once a day. You usually need to take them for life.

Which statin affects the liver the most?

Atorvastatin is the most common cause of clinically significant liver injury among statins with a reported incidence of 1/17 000 users.

Are statins linked to dementia?

A 2021 study looked at data of more than 18,000 adults over 65 years old who were taking statins: Main finding: There was no significant link between statins and dementia — or statins and any cognitive impairment.

Can statins weaken the heart?

Context: Heart failure (HF) is rapidly increasing in incidence and is often present in patients receiving long-term statin therapy.

What are the two most common adverse effects of statins?

What is the new treatment for cholesterol?

Inclisiran will only be given to people who are unable to lower their cholesterol with statins and/or lifestyle changes, or are unable to tolerate statin medication.

What is the new cholesterol medication for 2022?

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) of bempedoic acid with cardiovascular endpoints isn't expected to be completed until the end of 2022. The other new medicine is inclisiran, which is a subcutaneous injection given twice a year in the office, after initially being given at baseline and then at 3 months.

What is the new medicine for high cholesterol?

Federal regulators have approved the new drug Leqvio to be used to help lower cholesterol levels in some people. The medication is designed to be taken along with statins and a balanced diet. Leqvio is designed to be taken twice a year, which experts say should help people adhere to a medication schedule.