Further to my recent post, do GP's receive any money or other incentives when anyone is put on a statin?
Are they reluctant to stop statins due to any incentives?
Is there 100% proof out there of what actually occurs at a GP surgery on the prescribing of any drug regarding incentives?
My understanding is that it has nothing to do with drug companies BUT, there are many quality standards which GPs are expected to meet for which they do have some income (like any job in that respect). Those standards are set by government I believe so if that body sets a standard for the number of patients of a particular age to be on statins then yes to your question but the money doesn't come from business.
I too wondered about that when my GP's partner was very keen to have me start statins on a cholesterol level of 5.3. I refused and she seemed amused by my assertion that I could reduce the level by dietary management. She said the practice aims to have cardiac patients around a level of 4 asked me to return in two months for retesting - (it was 4.3).
Most likely it is to do with statistical targets, particularly for patients who are tagged as 'cardiac'.
Hi Ive hovered between 5,3 and about 5.7 for a long time.and the practice nurse did say a year or two back that she thought the doc might suggest I needed statins . Fortunately the ratio for me between good and bad fats was more than fine they never did suggest it . However on leaving hospital in august after my first bad AF session the doc there decided I was now high risk should go on statins (40mg) . I did not doing it willingly but the doc seemed to think it wise and as far as I can tell many medics think it best to take them if you are at risk. I gather I was thinking of a check to see what the level know is.
Yes, good point Constabule, cholesterol is not just one figure - it is made up of 3 HDL, LDL & Triglycerides. I have been recording my levels for over 10 years now and it is trends and ratios between the constituents that are important.
For me the downside of statins far outweigh any good effects on cholesterol or AF.
A few more points: Stress will raise your cholesterol, the body can produce cholesterol for a reason and around 80% comes from you and 20% re food; therefore changes in diet are less likely to be effective. I would avoid the processed drinks that are supposed to lower it, they may effect a reduction of sorts but have other potential issues.
As I have mentioned before, my cholesterol has been around 7 for 10+ years. For 7 years I have been eating a high fat diet of good quality organic meat, cream and butter and a recent check of my heart and carotid arteries showed they were all clear.
Food is the new medicine, I found westonaprice.org 7 years ago.
After being on statins for many years, last year's blood tests showed that my cholesterol was within acceptable limits, so I asked my GP if I could stop taking them. She suggested a trial period, so I stopped for about 6 weeks. After this period, a second test showed the level back up, so I have put myself back on them. At no time did I detect any pressure from my GP to remain on statins. Whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages is of course a different question, but that applies to every medicine we take including natural supplements.
There aren't financial penalties for prescribing statins but I believe there are penalities for any practice with an abnormally high number of strokes and heart attacks.
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