I have had 3 stents 2 years ago. The reason the Cardiologist wants to keep you on statins even though like me your Cholesterol is low is because they are convinced that this is what causes the inflammation and instability in the plaques. Satins also not only reduce Cholesterol but also have been shown to promote smooth endothenial development inside your stents. Are you also still on dual platelet therapy?

Hi - my husband had 5 stents 23 years ago but had a heart attack Jan 2014 and was put on statins then - After months of unexplained symptoms we researched each one and decided to stop them and the symptoms gradually went. His blood pressure and cholesterol are fine and the insomia went as well. This has worked for him but may not for everyone and we were very dubious about stopping them but am now glad we did.

The previous poster is correct. If Statins have a benefit then it is due to their anti inflammatory effect. Research everything you can on this subject and then at least feel confident you are replacing the anti inflammatory effect of the statin with natural side effect free alternatives. Take a look at Astaxanthin and Tumeric and of course your general diet needs to be low inflammatory as it does for everybody

Please read an article in the copy of the mail today.

Satins has side effect but statin as secondary medication is very important, (ie after any heart problem). Please consult your GP before stopping any medication!

Rosuvastatin is much more expensive than other statins and is one of the least commonly prescribed statins in the UK.

It is generally prescribed for a small number of people at high risk of a heart attack or stroke and who either cannot tolerate the older statins or have not had the desired reduction in cholesterol levels on them.

"Patients who are taking rosuvastatin should not stop taking it. They are on it for a very good reason."

Read more: dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/ar...

I had 3 stents fitted in January this year and was prescribed high dose statins (Atorvastatin 80mg) even though my total cholesterol has averaged 4.2 during my life (HDL to Total Cholesterol ratio has also been good at 2.4). I spend a lot of time reading about my condition and statins in particular given my low cholesterol. There appears to be some evidence that a high dose of statins can halt the formation of further plaques and even show a mild regression (0.5% per year) in the size of existing plaques when taken with Omega3. Thankfully, I have been able to tolerate this high dose with no obvious side effects and will continue to do so, unless my blood tests show side effects I haven't observed.

I've also been told by my medical team that statins will help strengthen the cap over existing plaques which should help them from bursting open.

A number of people have replied on this thread quoting their cholesterol levels. My question to them is do you know the levels of these factors and if not why not ?.

1. Homocysteine

2. APOa

3. APOb

4. C Reactive Protein

5. Tryglycerides

6. LDL particle count (thats not the number your doctor tells you)

7. LDL particle size

If you do not know the above its like going for a drive in your car and knowing the seat belt works but having no idea if there is petrol in the tank, air in the tyres, oil and water in the engine. We have been force fed this cholesterol test because it is cheap and feeds nicely into the statin habit. I chose to get a full body of checks which may or may not be relevant but for which there is plenty of clinical trial evidence

I find the comments made interesting. I have been on atorvastatin for a year but this has made no difference to the fact that for the last three years my right carotid artery scans show that the increase in the blockage has gone up consistently each year by 1tenth, ie 50+percent; 60+percent ;now it's 70+percent. So being on statins has made absolutely no difference to the progression. My LDLand HDL cholesterol levels have always been on the acceptable side. Blood pressure very slightly above ideal. Diet also good, in fact better than when I had a much smaller blockage.Weight average.Always been very active.However we must never forget that little word 'genetics'.By the way,it's possible to have a complete blockage and be safer than while it's partial as then it cannot create a stroke.The other carotid and two further arteries at the back of the neck slowly take over as the blockage increases.risky, but it does happen.

I have a +70% blockage of my right carotid artery that just over two years ago had caused numerous short periods of numbness to my left arm and leg over several weeks.These started weeks earlier with two occasions of violent involuntary sudden moving of the arm and leg. The restriction of blood flow must have caused intermittent reductions to a part of the brain and was different to usual strokes which normally cause one off TIAs at a time. Almost immediately on starting on clopidogrel (in lieu of asprin) this constant numbness stopped as the drug prevents the platelets sticking together, effectively thinning the blood and allowing it to pass more easily through the restriction. Taking statins has made no difference to the progressing of the blockage. Other than an operation of a carotid endarterectomy to remove the plaque I have to hope none of the plaque breaks off to move up to the brain.Other than the operation the best option is for the carotid artery become completely blocked (it can't then cause a stroke) and hope the other carotid and two further arteries to the back of the neck have slowly take over.So there is always hope of not having a stroke in this situation.

PS. The cause of can be varied, but excessive cholesterol can be made in the liver without your diet being the cause.Sugar is the latest villain but perhaps it's both sugar and fat.

Hi I take stations called sorbit for coroner heart decrease and I have no idea of they are helping or not anybody know thanks ben