The Cholesterol Myth

[gunnerred67]

My dear daughter spent 6 years in Canada since returning to the UK she has become a strong critic of modern medicine and doctors. I was prescribed statins and when she found out she sat me down with the internet and showed me a video made by an American doctor who said there is no such thing as bad Cholesterol and that Statins are just a massive money making product by big Pharma. It was very convincing. Has anybody else seen or read about this and what are your views.

[Zena166]

Hi. Yes I’ve read about it. Having had a heart attack last year and have Familial Hypercholestraemia I take statins in order to reduce my risk of further heart attacks along with beta blockers ACE inhibitors and anti platelets. As well as Vitamins B12 and D. I understand what is being said and of course pharma companies make money. However research undertaken in this country (and USA) undergoes rigorous ethical approval. In addition the NICE guidelines processes are incredibly robust and intense (I sit on one as a lay member so have direct knowledge). I appreciate the concern of people about statins and of course it’s a personal choice as to whether or not individuals take it. I will continue to take statins along with my other medication as the preventive action of helping stabilise plaques (I still have 70% blockages in other arteries that cannot be stented). Having said that I also follow a strict vegan diet as suggested by an American cardiologist. So I am doing everything I can as well as taking tried and tested treatments. It’s an interesting discussion. I would also point out that the BHF fund an amazing amount of research into all aspects of heart disease which I know I have benefited from. So thank you to them as well. Keep well and hope you come to a conclusion that fits with your lifestyle health and well-being. Take care. Zena

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi,

I too have seen this video, it's on my three against, thousands fo, list of evidence for and against statins and other medication. I struggle to understand why being a large corporate company automatically puts you in the conspiracy bucket with the only aim to screw the little guys to the benefit of the suits.

By all means debate about the pros and cons of medication and their side effects but the overwhelming amount of evidence is there for all to see, statins are a cheap (30 pills are around £10) and effective pill to lower cholesterol and cholesterol is the main cause of artery blockages. These alongside dietary changes, we eat too much protein, meat especially, will have an amazing effect on your cholesterol levels.

Happy Saturday from a warm Spain,

Take care Mark

[gunnerred67 in reply to skid112]

Hi Mark, The against argument ( to me) was so convincing I would not take them and my GP was just as unconvincing for. But just having had a heart attack and stent inserted. I spoke to the consultant who made it quite clear to me that they are a must. I wont going against medical advice again.

[Ansteynomad in reply to gunnerred67]

You might want to check out Dr Malcolm Kendrick’s book, the Great Cholesterol Con.

I suspect I will have this conversation shortly. My cholesterol levels are absolutely fine, but my consultant is talking about giving me statins. As a woman with good cholesterol levels, I’m not sure there would be any benefit.

[tunybgur]

One of the biggest studies carried out into heart disease was the Framingham Heart Study.

One of the facts coming out of this study....and I quote; ''In 34 years in Framingham, we've never seen anyone with a cholesterol below 150 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l) who's developed coronary heart disease.''

Since my heart attack statins have kept my level down from 5.3 to just below 4 mmol/l, that's good enough for me.

You have to understand, statins don't eliminate your cholesterol, they just reduce it to a safer level if it's too high.

Good luck.

[jamin100 in reply to tunybgur]

My cholesterol was 3.8 at 34 when I needed to get stented in my LAD due to a 100% blockage..

It’s now 1.9 with statins

[tunybgur in reply to jamin100]

The Framingham Heart study started in 1948 and is ongoing.

It has produced a huge amount of detailed data which has been used among other things to establish guidelines for healthy levels of cholesterol for the majority of the population.

We are all different and there are many other individual factors involved as I'm sure you are aware, but no study is perfect.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I became aware of this debate some years ago as I am Type I diabetic and middle-aged diabetics are prescribed them, together, with BP medication to prevent/delay complications even if their numbers are in range. Despite taking statins for some years I have developed CVD - diagnosed last year but symptoms (angina) may have been suppressed by the BP drug I was on. The arguments presented by each side remind me of the arguments between the Brexit and Remain campaigners who bias the arguments to suit themselves! My view is that they are a good drug which, sadly, is over-prescribed based on biased evidence.

A note to anyone on stains. Stains tend to stabilise the plaque and stopping them suddenly could cause the plaque to break away resulting in anything from no symptoms to "game over"!

To create my cardiac "dolly mixture" they only needed to add anti-anginals to the diabetic mix!

[Twobells in reply to MichaelJH]

I had side affects on statins so I just refused to take them. However, an alternative was offered and does not have the leg cramps that statins cause.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Twobells]

I had side effects with simvastatin but a change to atorvastatin sorted the problem out (muscle pains)

[Twobells in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Twobells]

There are nine types of statins (excluding combination therapies). Simvastatin is usually tried first as it is the cheapest but it does have the highest rate of side effects. As more come out of patent and generic versions become available my personal opinion is that simvastatin is out of date and should be dropped as bad press it gives statins a bad press re sided effects!

[Hidden]

Hi,

To me it`s quite a simple process you are of course entitled to read all the research whether it holds any truth or just someone spinning the figures to meet their own agenda and ego, but the real question is do you accept and trust that your cardiologist, gp or any other professional is working in your best interest and supplying the most appropriate care for your condition if the answer is yes then why doubt the drugs they prescribe, if not why remain under their care as you do have the choice.

Just for the record I have had 2 MI`s and cardiac arrest and yes I do read up on all the drugs I`m prescribed (15 different cardiac related) but my research is only done through verifiable and certified sources and I have never found any reason to question any treatment or drug prescribed over the past 7 years but I have found an excess of misinformation on the internet.

Simply to trust or not!

Sorry if I sound rather blunt but that`s me.

Regards

Steve

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

I did statistics as part of my degree but went off the subject as it is used far to frequently by many people from the PM down to gutter press journalists to misrepresent data. Sadly this is the case on both sides of the statins debate. One wonders if some of the antis change their mind when faced with heart disease?*!

[gunnerred67 in reply to MichaelJH]

That would be a very interesting point.

[Kimstyles]

We have familia hyper cholesterol , my nephew was skinny as a stick insect and his was high at 12!!!! , my mum had CABG at 54 and aortic heart valve replaced 9 years ago . She now 88 . Before her valve replacement they did an angiogram to look at her cardiac arteries which were brilliant . She been on statins for over 35 years . We had the rungs around our eyes and fat lumps on our eye lids since we were both thirty . I wish I could get rid of mine they just don’t ever fade .

My brother and I are are on statins he had two stents at 52 , and I had a CABGS and aortic valve replaced at 57 , we found ezetrole really made a difference and were also on atorvastatin . Can’t say I noticed any of the side effect we been in these for over ten years. Just really dislike the fatty lumps on my eye lids