Atorvastatin

[jimmyq]

I have been on Atorvastatin once daily for 8 months. I am on a "diet" that excludes animal products, i.e. "bad" cholesterol containing foods. My cholesterol level has gone down in this period from 5.3 with a reduction in dosage to 40mg 3 months ago.

I had a cholesterol test last week and it has gone down to 2.7. So I went to the doctors this morning to get my dosage reduced again. I want to get off it altogether at some point. He has reluctantly halved my dosage. The purpose of statins is to reduce cholesterol levels and this has been happening. Why would the doctor be reluctant to reduce the dosage? Am I missing something? Discuss!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

An important point about statins that is usually lost by by GPs and other medical professionals that concentrate on the cholesterol lowering properties is that it stabilises plaque. Once you have CVD plaque will be present in some areas even after stenting and/or bypassing. Stopping statins could result in plaque breaking away and causing a heart attack, stroke or similar. A cholesterol level of 2.7 is rather low in my personal opinion and I agree with your GP's change of doseage.

[jimmyq in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks.

[jimmyq in reply to MichaelJH]

My diet is supposed to remove all the plaque in my arteries over time. When/if it does so I should be safe from plaque related heart attacks. The issue is: how will I know when/if my arteries are clear without an angiogram or similar?

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jimmyq]

Sorry I have no idea. Personally I am not convinced that diet will remove all plaque. Someone I know has hypercholesterolemia and tried an extreme diet (basically vegan with healthy fish, e.g. sardines, mackerel, wild salmon, etc.). His cholesterol barely moved until he accepted statins. And if calcification is present I would think it more unlikely. Why not ask the author of the diet you are following?

[jimmyq in reply to MichaelJH]

I have asked the author. The response was that if I get off the drugs and my BP, cholesterol and pulse down to normal levels or below that must mean that my arteries are allowing blood to flow normally, i.e unblocked and clear. Otherwise my BP would be raised.

I lean towards agreeing with that but I would want to be certain before I stopped the meds altogether, out of fear.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jimmyq]

Hello Jimmy! You will soon be calling me "Doc Negative". Before I started statins my cholesterol was 4.2. Prior to my op (with statins) it was just over 3 (forget exact figure now) and at that time I had four coronary arteries blocked between 70% and 85%. I also had angina that was becoming unstable so I would say that cholesterol levels do not indicate the state of the arteries. I also feel that BP is not an absolute indicator as if you had only one or two diseased arteries it would have little impact on your arteries particularly if they were the more minor ones. In all honesty I think an angiogram is the only way to tell and would it be worth the risk. If with your lifestyle changes you are achieving good figures and on a low diose of medication I would be happy with that. In the end giving up all medication would be your decision but not one I would contemplate. Best regards, Michael...

[stevejb1810 in reply to jimmyq]

I tend to agree with MichaelJH. Statins are not just about cholesterol levels, once you get that under control (and you have), it’s then more about plaque and stopping that building or breaking away etc. If diet alone could reverse plaque that already exists in your system, you’d be well on your way to having a cure for coronary heart disease and I ‘m not aware of anyone claiming that just ye (at least not one that is backed up with proper clinical evidence). Having said all of this, great news on your cholesterol lowering - that is only ever going to be good (but remember, cholesterol is needed by your body so it is possible to have to low a level).

[Hidden in reply to stevejb1810]

Ok the logical part of me says you are correct BUT working for a CCG I also know that there is a monetary benefit to the GP the more statins that they can prescribe. SO I am always wary when they want to give statins

[jimmyq in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Fredbeare. I just posted this:

I have found this article about statins which I think may be useful to statin takers. It has convinced me that I should continue to take them but on as low a dose as possible and maintain my very healthy diet. heartuk.org.uk/statins-and-...

[Hidden in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmy I agree

After trying 4 different types I only reluctantly agreed to a low dose after my HA. My personal opinion only is that the side effects far outweigh any benefit. so far am coping on Atorvastatin but only just. As I say its just my personal iew of my body, everyne else is different. Good luck to everyone on them

[IanGordon]

For those that have had prosthetic aortic valves, there's some suggestion that statins help slow down the recalcification of the new valve. Sorry, but I've not done my homework so unable to reference or substantiate this. Perhaps somebody has identified the published research?

[jimmyq]

I have found this article about statins which I think may be useful to statin takers. It has convinced me that I should continue to take them but on as low a dose as possible and maintain my very healthy diet.

heartuk.org.uk/statins-and-...

[jamin100]

I’m on the same statin, and before my stent and drugs my cholesterol was 3.6. At My last checkup since starting the statins it was down to 1.8

Doc was pleased but never mentioned taking me off them or reducing the dosage

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jamin100]

I suspect it may be to low as you need a certain level for good health. It would not be appropriate for me to quote figures but I would be concerned about the HDL level. I would suggest you make an appointment with your GP to discuss.

[Tachys]

I’m on atorvastatin. Can’t say it has any effect on me that I notice. Hopefully it is doing its job to lower my cholesterol and stiffen my artery walls but zero side effects.

[jimmyq]

My doctor has taken me off the statins and diuretics because of the side effects. I am feeling much better and healthier than I have in years. Still on bisoprolol and clopidogrel for the time being.