High Cholesterol

[Thismorning]

Hi just wondering about peoples experience of Statins.Heard rumours of memory problems after long term use? Mine is not good 😌

[JHutton1994]

'In the past, there have been concerns that short-term use of statins caused memory loss and confusion in a small number of people. For these people, symptoms stopped after stopping the medication. This would suggest that the memory loss is not related to dementia, which would continue to get worse.' from the Alzheimer's Society. We do know that there is a concrete link between high cholesterol and dementia and that statins and other things to control cholesterol levels reduces that risk.

[Happyrosie]

my husband has been on this for 20 years and I’ve been on it for ten. Yes we both have memory issues but there’s no way of telling , for us, whether it would have been better or worse without. I believe however that my memory is good for a 78 year old!

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I've been taking statins for 25 years. If my memory is not as good as it used to be, which I don't think it is, as far as I am concerned, it's down to age, not statins. Don't believe the rumour machine.

[BridBoy]

I've been on Statins for 13 years, I'm now 70+

I've always been useless at remembering people's names, that's not changed.

We go out dancing 2 or 3 times a week, sequence dancing and I can remember over 50 of them.

I astounded Mrs H last week when she asked me "what did I wear at last Friday's dance, I don't want to wear the same dress" and I knew. Got a few brownie points there!!

Back to the subject matter, have Statins effected my memory, no.

What they have done is stabilised the plaque in my arteries and stopped lumps from breaking off and creating a blockage.

[L8Again]

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/...

[rjb112]

UpToDate.com states: "In contrast to the above observations suggesting that statins may produce cognitive impairment, other studies have suggested that statins may have a role in the prevention of dementia. (See "Prevention of dementia", section on 'Statins'.)"

I'm also on a statin, 40 mg of atorvastatin, and like some of those who have posted above, I've got some memory issues as well. I'm wondering if I should lower my dose to 30 mg or even 20 mg, due to the potential cognitive issues with taking 40 mg atorvastatin.

[Petitlady]

I have been taking statins for 15+ years. I have high cholesterol and diet alone does not control it. I started relatively young and had an intellectually demanding job that required excellent memory. I never felt that statins caused me a problem. Retired now and yes my memory is getting worse but I am pretty sure it’s an age thing. I should add that I watched my father disappear as vascular dementia took hold from his early 70s onwards and I see the problems high cholesterol causes as a much bigger risk

[RoyMacDonald]

I've been on statins for about 7 years and recently had a memory test by a specialist Dr. The test took about an hour and a half. I scored 97%. Would have been 100% but I forgot to remember the lemon in a sequence of three items, (key and a ball were the other ones) I was given to remember at the beginning of the test. Then had to remember them at the end of the test. I'm over 80 now. So I personally don't see a connection. The statins were recommended by my consultant to improve brain function.

All the best.

Roy

[carole99]

Hi everyone that has commented on here about statins. I have avoided taking them after trying a few months ago. I have been told that I do need to take them and these comments have helped to put my mind at rest a bit. I only have to take a small dose 10mg so I think it maybe will be okay. Thank you

[YorkshireBella123 in reply to carole99]

I was very unsure about taking them and after realising the stabalisation of the plaque in my arteries its worth it. I feel fine and my cholesterol has dropped significantly in a short space of time and again I am encouraged by this 👍

[Heartinthehills]

Confirming many of the other comments. I have been on 80mg Atorvastatin for 11 years with no noticeable adverse effects. The benefit has been lowering my cholesterol below a combined 3. Good news for Heart Failure patients.