Massive Increase In Statin Dose Post Bypass

[MichaelJH]

After my bypass my statin dose was quadrupled! Whilst I understand why statins are prescribed I cannot find any real explanation for the massive increase. Obviously I will ask at my follow up appointment butt wondered if anybody knew why. If I extrapolated the reduction in my cholesterol level from my previous dose I end up with a total cholesterol of 0.6!

[Zena166]

Hi Michael I think it’s something to do with higher doses have a better outcome in terms of prevention of further heart attacks rather than moderate doses. I get seen in the lipid clinic and they swapped my statin and increased the dose. It messed me up and have had to go back to my previous statin and build it up again. Anyway I have copied the link to all the NICE guidelines on statins. Apologies I have seen it somewhere but can’t remember which one! And am too tired to go through them all!

nice.org.uk/search?q=Statins

But i think it’s to do with better outcomes on higher dose. But not sure what the percentage is.

Hope this helps

Zena

[Zena166]

Here is another research review about statins.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Sorry tell me to stop. Zena

[stevejb1810]

Would I be right in assuming you have gone from 20mg to 80 mg Atorvastatin post op. Snap if that is the case. I was given to understand that this is quite normal post CABG. I did ask about this and it’s not just about the cholesterol level (it won’t be a linear drop by the way)it’s because high doses are thought to have a protective effect against further furring up of your arteries. Originally I was told I’d likely be on the high dose for 12 months.

[Shoshov]

I'm the same after a heart attack. My cholesterol is now 3.7. I now question if it's that low. Why the high dose

[tunybgur in reply to Shoshov]

The Framingham heart study is the biggest ongoing study of heart disease so far undertaken. One of the findings was that nobody with a total cholesterol <4 suffered heart disease.

[LADstent]

statins can stop plaque break up but if you read or follow Dr Malcom Kendricks blog or read his book the great cholesterol con you will be better informed . Just be aware of insidious side effects .

[tunybgur in reply to LADstent]

My cardiologist says Statins save lives, it's a statistical fact.

I have also read about the great cholesterol con but as they say, there are lies, damn lies and statistics.

I wonder how many kids have had to suffer Measles, Mumps and Rubella after Dr Andrew Wakefield linked it to Autism?.....he was subsequently struck off but the damage had been done.

[LADstent in reply to tunybgur]

The lancet .

Lessons from the controversy over statins

Fiona GodleeEmail the author Fiona Godlee

Published: 18 March 2017

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DOI: doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(...

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Jane Armitage and colleagues, led by senior author Rory Collins, (Nov 5, p 2237)1 and Richard Horton (Nov 5, p 2237)2 appear to believe that retraction of an article from The BMJ will end the debate about statins and primary prevention. Even were there grounds for retraction, I fear they would be disappointed. Questions about the evidence base for statins continue to emerge from many quarters: how strong is the evidence, how large is the benefit for individuals at lowest risk of heart disease, how well did the trials record common minor side-effects, how representative were the trials of women and the elderly, what was the effect of active run-in periods and composite endpoints, how does taking a statin affect a person's diet and exercise patterns, why is there a discrepancy between the real-life experience of muscle pain and what was reported in the trials, why have the data for harms not yet been given the same levels of scrutiny as the data for benefits, and is cholesterol a reliable surrogate endpoint to guide prevention of cardiovascular disease?3,4

Read full article as it mentions the MMR controversy that Bmj published and then reviewed.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi MichaelJH, I am 3 months post bypass op and am at the moment on 20mg Atorvastatin. When I saw the cardiac rehab nurse prior to starting rehab she said she was surprised I was not on 80mg. So I had a blood test this week (had to wait 3 months post op to get a correct reading), fasting, to see what impact the 20mg has had on my cholesterol and if it needs to be increased. I am worried about increasing it because of the side effects, but understand that it is helping protect my arteries against blocking. I will see what the results tell me. Its amazing how different cardiologist use different methods. Best of luck x

[Shoshov]

Wonder why I had 2 stents put in then. Crazy

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Shoshov]

The decision for stents/bypass would depend on a number of factors including the degree of narrowing and/or symptoms. In my case four arteries were over 70% with the LAD at 75%. I was also suffering from angina. Because of the degree of calcification it was felt that a bypass was the only option. Below 50% with no or minimal symptoms a conservative approach is usually adopted.

[wiltsgirl]

I've just had my cholesterol results. after taking 20mg for nearly 5 month my level has dropped to 3.4 post bypass operation. I've also taken on board some lifestyle changes so am pleased that this is the case. So it doesn't always follow that you need more statins!