Statin Dose as on going prevention

[Golfer67]

So I like many on here suffered a HA out of the blue on NYE 23, after being physically fit all my life. Had 2 stents done and touchwood all seems fine.

I have never had high cholesterol or high blood pressure - however the surgeon explained that all people in my situation get put on a cocktail of drugs for life as prevention. I managed to convince him I couldn't have a beta blocker as resting heart rate normally around 48-50. I'm on apixaban as a thinner and Ramipril. Then I am also on Avarostatin 80mg - just reading on here and comparing to other people that seems to be a really high dose? Please could people tell me what dose they are on for prevention as I would like to go back to GP and try and get it lowered.

Many thanks

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Your high dose of atorvastatin is due to the current NICE recommendation to maximise a statin after a heart 'event' (see below). Like yourself and others post HA I also take 80mg atorvastatin. This is known as 'secondary prevention'. If you have not had a heart 'event' but are recommended to manage your lipid profile by taking medication like statins, the dose is adjusted according to needs and this may result in a lower dose. This is know as 'primary prevention'. So if you are not suffering from any side effects from the statin like the majority of statin users, including me, or have drug interactions or kidney disease, then the high dose is considered necessary to reduce your heart health risk going forward. But should the dose be reduced your risk factor will increase, although if you decide to do this for personal reasons your health professional should act on your instruction.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/lipi...

[Beachy20]

do I have heart disease

[Goonerboy6661]

There’s growing evidence that inflammation, and not high cholesterol, is a key driver of heart disease. The CANTOS study and other research suggest that lowering inflammation (measured by high-sensitivity CRP) is just as important as reducing LDL.

While atorvastatin 80mg is commonly prescribed post-heart attack, studies show that rosuvastatin is more potent per mg and has superior anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, 5mg of rosuvastatin (even taken on alternative days) can often achieve similar results to higher doses of atorvastatin, with potentially fewer side effects.

If you’re concerned about the high dose of atorvastatin, it may be worth discussing with your GP whether switching to 5-10mg of rosuvastatin could be a viable alternative,

[Golfer67 in reply to Goonerboy6661]

Thankyou for that - definitely worth a GP discussion I think.

[Bingo88]

Good afternoon Golfer67. I am on 1x 20mg of Artorostatin a day. Just started my 2nd month of the tablets to prevent my risk of having a stroke or heart attack. I have a very good friend who's 64 years old mother had a stroke, October last year and sadly they are on end of life care now because they never recovered from the stroke. Brian

[Georod]

Hi there,

why no beta with your low heart rate? I remained on beta blocker for years even though I told my cardiologist that my heart rate is low and I get dizzy and feel un well ( I had natural low heart rate before heart attack as well) I ended up in emergency with bradycardia and was fitted with ICD and am still on beta blocker ? I know it’s not just for lowering heart rate . I’m on my 3rd statin just recently because I gave up on the others because of side effects, rovo 80 mg and atorva statin 80 mg then 40 mg with no change ,now on Pravastatin 20mg , I took it every other day to avoid muscle aches like on other statins not telling my cardiologist , doc said I need to up dose because not working so I let him know about the every other day , he said let’s take it every day and see what happens in 6 weeks , I agreed but let him know that my triglycerides have never been so low and my good cholesterol has never been this high on any statin , he didn’t comment , I told him I will back dose off if side effects return, he said let me know . So taking new statin a week now every day with no noticeable side effects yet .

[Golfer67 in reply to Georod]

Hello Georod - they tried one lot of beta blockers whilst I was recovering in hospital and it sent it to 32/34.....cardiologist said that wasn't good. Interesting what you say about statins as its the muscle ache in the legs that is getting me!

[beiderbeck]

Hi Golfer67.

I have been on ramipril 10mg since a CABG in year 2000, statin 40mg since year 2002 high colesteral and in year 2023 moved from asprin to apixaban 5mg as I had a burst of a-fib whilst performing an exercise stress test as part of a medical test for DVLA. I m aged 77. Hope this info is of use.

Kindest regards.

[Golfer67 in reply to beiderbeck]

thankyou - yes it all helps ....I would like to go to 40mg of statin so I will approach the GP

[Almond24slices]

I have a normal to slightly low heart rate which is irregular. I was put on Apixaban for blood thinning, but that's all, so I'm afraid I can't really advise you.