Statins

[Womble1007]

Hi, new member here, 60yo.

Cholesterol 5.1 overall, CT scan showed potential CAD - echo and possible angioplast to be done in due course. I've been told in no uncertain terms I have to take statins. I'm not overly enamoured about that as there seems to be so many varying studies; some say they'll give you dementia and muscle wasting, others say they prevent dementia and pain is limited - its an absolute minefield. I'm not overly keen on meds full stop, but have agreed to 75mg aspirin.

Any help either way welcome - I'm reading a lot about red yeast rice?

Thank you

Colin

[RF260]

Hi, also a new member, 64 y.o . Cholesterol at a similar level to yours for last couple years. Resisted statin when previously "offered", however had HA in April so was put on a statin straight away (80mg Atorvastatin) was giving pretty bad leg muscle pain so recently took a 3 week break and now just restarted on 5mg Rosuvastatin and so far so good but it is a low dose and I've also started a Coq 10 supplement. I'd much prefer not to take and I'm dieting to also hopefully get cholesterol down, blood test due in a month or so to see if any progress. So if you have a decent GP that you can access and will work with you to find the best solution that would be good. I also take the same dose aspirin as you. I too see discussion about dementia but all I would say is having had a HA I am reluctantly gonna stick with statin but hopefully a lowish dose to minimize side effects, good luck.

[Stentsandrun in reply to RF260]

Sensible reply IMO. Hope you have some success regarding the diet but I tried it, sticking very strictly to a plant based one for 2 months, levels sadly went back to previous. I have also looked into Coq10 but am not convinced, there are no peer reviewed studies or even one's from reliable sources that say anything other than more research is needed. If you have CAD you are more at risk of vascular dementia anyway which makes Statins a sensible choice I think?

[Stentsandrun]

You could spend half your life "researching" statins, there is loads of information on it on the internet and forums - some if it is complete rubbish, I have never seen any studies that link it to Dementia, for example. Make sure any information you use to make a decision is peer reviewed. Personally I would forget things like red yeast rice, whatever that is, along with supplements that are often recommended from some sources when in fact there is little or no evidence of their efficacy. If you have CAD then you need to get your cholesterol down below 4 and you won't do that with supplements or dieting.

If you don't mind me saying, you seem to be a bit anti-med's? Personally I would be more anti-Heart Attack in your position, but it is up to you. It's not really a minefield, the advice from most professional's including this forum is that statins will both lower your cholesterol along with stabilising any plaque you may have. Obviously there is no guarantee but it's a hell of a safer bet than red yeast rice! If you are worried about dementia and you have CAD then you are at far more risk of vascular dementia anyway. It's up to you, but in your position I would be very careful of letting some of the supposed advice making you regret a decision now, in the future.

Edit: Forgot to add, if you are worried about muscle wasting the best course of action is exercise, which you also need to be starting if you don't already. In some circumstances Statins can cause muscle aches (I've had plenty) but it's more likely they are age related or brought on by reading too much Dr google. If you do get them there is a simple blood test that can be done anyway.